South African Brand Twizza Sold in R2.1 Billion All‑Cash Deal

South African entrepreneur Ken Clark has agreed to sell his soft drink business Twizza in a major all‑cash acquisition valued at approximately R2.1 billion (about $125 million). The buyer, Varun Beverages Ltd., one of the world’s largest bottlers for PepsiCo, plans to use the acquisition as a strategic platform to deepen its presence across the Southern African beverages market.

The deal, agreed through Varun Beverages’ South African subsidiary, The Beverages Company Proprietary Limited (BevCo), will see the full 100% share capital of Twizza acquired for cash at an enterprise value of roughly ZAR 2,095 million. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals in South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini, with completion expected on or before 30 June 2026.

Founded in Queenstown (now Komani) in 2003 by Clark, Twizza has grown from a local soft drink challenger brand into a household name across South Africa and neighbouring markets. The business manufactures and distributes its own line of carbonated soft drinks and non‑alcoholic beverages from three major plants located in Cape Town, Komani and Middelburg, with a combined production capacity of around 100 million cases per year.

Twizza’s expansion over the past two decades — from modest beginnings to a recognizable regional brand — reflects Clark’s entrepreneurial journey from dairy farming to beverage manufacturing. As part of the deal, Clark will remain as Executive Chair, while day‑to‑day operations continue under his son, Lisle Clark.

For Varun Beverages, the acquisition adds local manufacturing capacity and an established African brand to its broader portfolio and supports its ambition to strengthen its footprint across Southern Africa’s competitive soft drinks industry. The company already bottles and distributes PepsiCo products in the region through BevCo and has been expanding internationally as part of its growth strategy.

The market has reacted positively to the announcement; Varun Beverages’ shares recently climbed following the board approval of the transaction, with analysts optimistic about the potential for growth in the region.