A Legacy Spanning Over 100 Years

The ZZ2 Family Business, founded by Mr. Willem Van Zyl, is a massive agricultural empire with over a century of history and a valuation exceeding R1.1 billion. This conglomerate is known for its diverse agricultural products, including tomatoes, onions, mangoes, avocados, blueberries, and dates, among others.

The Birth of ZZ2

In 1902, following the Anglo-Boer War, farmers were assigned branding irons to mark their livestock. The ZZ2 code was awarded to Burt van Zyl in 1903, marking the beginning of the ZZ2 legacy. In 1966, Bertie van Zyl formalized the establishment of ZZ2 Farming Enterprise.

Leadership and Expansion

Tommie van Zyl, who holds a Master of Science in Food and Resource Economics, took over the enterprise in 2005, expanding it into a multi-billion rand conglomerate. Under his leadership, ZZ2 has grown to encompass over 60,000 hectares of farmland, equivalent to the size of Johannesburg, with operations in South Africa and Namibia.

Diverse Farming Operations

Game Farming

ZZ2’s game farm spans over 23,721 hectares of conservation land, home to a variety of game animals such as white rhinos, nyala, gemsbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, impala, kudu, Burchell’s zebra, and eland.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the cornerstone of ZZ2’s success. The company produces tomatoes on over 2,000 hectares, with year-round harvesting yielding an average of 160,000 kg per hectare. ZZ2 transports nearly 4.2 million kg of tomatoes weekly using 20 trucks.

Livestock

The livestock sector alone is valued at over R30 million, contributing significantly to ZZ2’s overall wealth.

Geographic Footprint

ZZ2’s farms are located across multiple regions:

1.⁠ ⁠Limpopo
2.⁠ ⁠Eastern Cape
3.⁠ ⁠Western Cape
4.⁠ ⁠Gauteng
5.⁠ ⁠North West
6.⁠ ⁠Mpumalanga
7.⁠ ⁠Namibia

Employment and Economic Impact

ZZ2 employs over 8,000 people in South Africa, making it a significant employer and economic contributor.

Current Leadership

The current CEO, Mr. Tommie van Zyl, continues to lead ZZ2 Farming Enterprise with a vision of sustainable growth and diversification.

ZZ2 Family Business stands as a testament to over 100 years of agricultural innovation and expansion. With its diverse operations, vast geographical footprint, and substantial economic impact, ZZ2 remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s agricultural industry.

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