Nathan Kirsh

Nathan Kirsh
Born	Nathan Kirsh (1932-01-06) January 6, 1932 Potchefstroom, South Africa
Other names	Natie Kirsh
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1952–present
Known for	Kirsh Group, Jetro Holdings

Nathan "Natie" Kirsh (born 6 January 1932) is a billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist with ties to both Swaziland and South Africa. He is the principal figure behind the Kirsh Group, which controls a majority share in Jetro Holdings, a New York-based wholesale cash and carry business that operates Restaurant Depot and Jetro Cash & Carry. The Group’s investments span several countries, including Australia, Eswatini, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel. Kirsh resides primarily in Eswatini while also holding residency status in the UK and US.

In April 2025, Forbes valued his net worth at approximately US$7.3 billion. He features on the UK’s Sunday Times Rich List 2018 and is recognized by Forbes as Eswatini’s wealthiest individual.

Early life and education

Born on 6 January 1932 to Jewish Lithuanian immigrants, Nathan Kirsh grew up in Potchefstroom. He completed his secondary education at Potchefstroom Boys High in 1949. Kirsh described his childhood as comfortable with minimal experiences of antisemitism and was active in the Labor Zionist youth organization Habonim Dror. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1952 and later received an honorary doctorate from the University of Swaziland.

Career

Kirsh began his professional journey in 1952 by supporting his father’s malt factory located in Potchefstroom. Six years later, in 1958, he launched his initial enterprise—a corn milling and malt production business based in Eswatini.

After returning to South Africa in 1968, Kirsh purchased Moshal Gevisser in 1970, a wholesale food distributor that pioneered a cash and carry model. During apartheid-era restrictions limiting white-owned businesses’ operations within black townships, Kirsh utilized Moshal Gevisser to supply merchandise to black shop owners. This company eventually emerged as one of South Africa’s leading food retailers.

In June 1976, Kirsh established Jetro, a cash and carry outlet situated in Brooklyn, New York. He expanded this venture by acquiring Restaurant Depot in 1994 and inaugurated its first retail location in New York in 1995; both entities operate under the umbrella of Jetro Holdings. Warren Buffett showed interest in purchasing a minority stake in 2003; however, negotiations did not result in an agreement. As of August 2018, Kirsh controlled 75 percent of Jetro Holdings, which managed approximately 115 Jetro Cash & Carry and Restaurant Depot locations throughout the United States. Several of Kirsh’s companies were registered in jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands and Liberia, which appear on the OECD’s tax haven "grey list." The Kirsh Holdings Group continues to hold significant ownership of Swazi Plaza Properties.

During the late 1970s, Kirsh acquired Magal Security Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries, subsequently listing it on Nasdaq in 1993. By 2009, he owned a 24.2% share and served as a director; Magal attracted criticism related to its security fencing projects within Israel. In 2014, Kirsh sold his 40% stake to FIMI Opportunity Fund.

Kirsh exited South Africa in 1986 following the sale of a substantial portion of Kirsh Industries to Sanlam. By 2006, his portfolio included holdings such as Mira Mag and Ki Corporation; through Kifin Limited—a subsidiary of Ki Corporation—he possessed shares in Minerva, although he withdrew from pursuing majority control by 2010.

As of early 2018, Kirsh maintained diverse retail and property investments across the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Eswatini.

Personal life

Kirsh is wedded to Frances Herr, and together they have three children. The family resides in Ezulwini, Eswatini, where Kirsh holds citizenship. Although he observes kosher dietary practices, he does not identify as religious. His brother, Issie Kirsh, is the founder of Radio 702 and Primedia.

Philanthropy

The Kirsh Foundation, established by Kirsh, is an international philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting small business ventures and computer education, mainly within Eswatini. Between 2001 and 2016, the foundation financed 14,000 startups, achieving a success rate of 70%, which led to the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs by 2015. Additionally, it operates a microfinance initiative that provides affordable loans and financial literacy programs targeted at Swazi women. In 2021, Kirsh contributed to IsraAID’s efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in Eswatini.

Expanding its reach to Israel, the foundation had funded 700 startups by 2016 with an 85% success ratio while also promoting computer education in high schools and yeshivas. The Kirsh family contributed $10 million towards the Jerusalem Arts Campus, home to institutions such as the Nisan Nativ Acting Studio and the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School. The foundation further supports the Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership as well as the Jewish People Policy Institute, a think tank dedicated to advancing Jewish interests and Israel.

Kirsh’s foundation launched Shine A Light, a U.S.-based initiative combating modern antisemitism, which has received endorsement from the Anti-Defamation League. In 2020, he made an $8.8 million donation to his alma mater, the University of the Witwatersrand located in Johannesburg.

See also

• History of the Jews in Eswatini
• History of the Jews in South Africa
• History of the Jews in Southern Africa