SA Entrepreneur Ken Clark Sells Twizza to Pepsi Bottler Varun Beverages in R2.1bn Cash Deal
South African entrepreneur Ken Clark has agreed to sell his soft drink brand, Twizza, in an all-cash deal valued at R2.1 billion (about $125 million). The buyer, Varun Beverages Ltd., is a major PepsiCo bottler, and this acquisition strengthens its presence across Southern Africa.
Clark’s journey is a remarkable one. Starting out in Dordrecht with just five cows, he built Crickley Dairy and later grew Twizza into a strong challenger brand rooted in the Eastern Cape. Today, Twizza operates three production plants in Cape Town, Komani, and Middelburg, producing roughly 100 million cases each year.
The transaction is expected to be finalized by 30 June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini. Clark will remain involved as executive chair, while his son, Lisle, has taken over the day-to-day management of the business.
Twizza’s sale speaks to the strength of the brand and the scale it has achieved, as well as to Ken Clark’s evolution from a small-town dairy farmer into a major player in the soft drinks industry.
𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔?
It’s a reminder that big success doesn’t always start in big cities or with massive capital. With patience, consistency, and a long-term vision, locally built brands can grow, compete with global players, and eventually attract serious international investment.
