Why the oldest JSE companies still matter to South African owners and buyers
Age on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange often signals more than a long history. It can indicate deep industry relationships, institutional governance practices, and resilient brands that survived political and economic cycles. For business owners and buyers, these firms are living case studies in scaling, risk management and succession planning.
Top 10 oldest companies listed on the JSE
Below are ten of the oldest companies that have been listed on the JSE. Note: founding years often refer to the company’s earliest predecessor or original incorporation — many have restructured, merged or changed names over time.
1. Old Mutual
Founded in the 19th century. Old Mutual began as a mutual insurer and grew into a pan-African and global financial services group. For insurance and wealth managers, Old Mutual illustrates how product diversification and distribution partnerships (bank panels, brokers) sustain long-term revenues.
2. Standard Bank
Founded in the 1800s. As one of South Africa’s oldest banking institutions, Standard Bank shows the importance of balance-sheet management and regional expansion. Its history is useful for owners considering long-term capital strategies and cross-border growth within SADC.
3. South African Breweries (SAB)
Founded in the late 19th century. SAB’s brand portfolio and distribution footprint are instructive for FMCG entrepreneurs. Key lessons: brand equity, national scale logistics and navigating consolidation — SAB became part of a global brewing group while maintaining strong local brands.
4. Anglo American
Founded in the early 20th century. Initially a mining concern, Anglo American demonstrates how resource-based businesses manage commodity cycles, capital expenditure and community relations. For buyers, mining companies’ longevity highlights the need for technical capability and compliance with environmental and social governance (ESG) standards.
5. Sanlam
Founded around the same era as Anglo. Sanlam’s longevity in financial services underscores diversification across life assurance, asset management and bancassurance partnerships. It’s a useful benchmark for firms seeking to broaden income streams and improve cross-sell ratios.
6. Tiger Brands
Founded in the early 20th century. Tiger Brands is a long-running FMCG manufacturer. The company’s experience with product innovation, private-label competition and supply-chain resilience is practical for food producers and retail suppliers.
7. Woolworths Holdings
Founded in the early 20th century. Woolworths has evolved from a South African retailer to a multi-channel, regional player. Retailers and buyers can learn from its loyalty programmes, store formats and shift to e-commerce.
8. Sasol
Founded mid-20th century. Sasol’s history in energy and chemical production highlights the capital intensity and regulatory environment of industrial businesses. For investors and acquirers, Sasol underlines the importance of operational reliability and hedging strategies when commodities and exchange rates move.
9. Remgro / Rembrandt lineage
Founding roots across mid-20th-century business groups. Holding companies such as Remgro (and its Rembrandt antecedents) show how family holdings and listed investment vehicles preserve wealth across generations; they also offer lessons in corporate governance and portfolio management for large private owners.
10. Pick n Pay
Founded in the late 1960s. As a long-established retail chain, Pick n Pay demonstrates scale economics, supplier relationships and the impact of loyalty and pricing strategy in a competitive grocery market — relevant for anyone in retail M&A.
Practical takeaways for SA business owners and buyers
- Look beyond age: Longevity often reflects strong governance, not immunity. Review board composition, audit history and compliance records before investing.
- Sector matters: Many oldest listings are in finance, mining and consumer staples — each has distinct cyclicality. Match your risk tolerance to sector volatility.
- Value of brand and distribution: Long-lived firms tend to have entrenched channels. When buying, evaluate how transferable those channels are to your product or region.
- Plan for succession: Family-held or founder-led firms that listed decades ago succeeded because they formalised leadership and professionalised management.
- Watch macro exposure: Exchange rates, commodity prices and regulation shape returns. Use hedging and scenario planning to protect value.
How to use this list
Use the oldest JSE companies as benchmarks. Compare governance practices, capital allocation decisions and brand strategies against your own business. If you’re a buyer, focus due diligence on legacy liabilities (pensions, environmental remediation) that older firms commonly carry.
For regional businesses looking to scale or list, studying these names shows that survival needs a mix of product relevance, disciplined capital and strong stakeholder management — practical lessons that still shape successful SA companies today.