By Robyn Joubert
A merger involving one of South Africa’s largest independent maize millers, Blinkwater Mills in Mpumalanga, has promised to benefit farmers and communities through procurement and the creation of 101 new jobs.
The Competition Tribunal has conditionally approved the merger, which will see Metier, through its Capital Growth Fund III, acquire a shareholding in Blinkwater, a vertically integrated maize milling powerhouse founded by the Van den Berg family in 1995.
Currently producing 271 000 tons of maize meal annually, Blinkwater moves the product via a unique distribution network that includes over 320 spaza stores, independent wholesalers and retailers, predominantly in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
“Blinkwater is a compelling business with a recognised brand, a unique distribution model and a history of meaningful positive impact in the communities in which it operates. We are looking forward to partnering with the van den Berg family to grow the business further,” said Metier CEO Paul Botha.
The new entity will create new jobs for historically disadvantaged persons (HDP) through ambitious infrastructure projects. This includes the expansion of Blinkwater’s Stoffberg milling facility and the revival of an inactive mill in Mbombela. These capex projects are set to deliver 20 new jobs by the end of 2026.
Adding a sustainable energy twist, the parties will commission a 1MW solar plant at Stoffberg Mill, utilising HDP firms. They will also establish 50 new spaza shop depots, creating 50 new jobs, and add 31 new jobs within Blinkwater’s own distribution network, all by the end of 2028.
Blinkwater currently supports 4 400 subsistence farmers and will continue to use spaza shop depots to procure maize from HDP farmers.
“We have been fortunate to build a business that we are proud of, in an industry that is uniquely South African, and which operates in areas where we have made, and will continue to make a positive societal contribution. We are excited about our plans to grow the Blinkwater business with the investment and support of the Metier team,” said Blinkwater Mills founder, Nico van den Berg.
