About Acorn Agri & Food

Our Purpose

Building a transformed business landscape that ensures lasting food security for Southern Africa.

Meet the Board >

We combine long-term capital with operational expertise to build resilient, vertically integrated businesses in agriculture and food. Through active stewardship, our capital helps put affordable, high-quality and sustainably produced food within reach of households and industry across the region.

From farm inputs and primary production through to processing, logistics and distribution, we work to protect and strengthen every link in the chain. Each investment is selected for its role in feeding the region, its ability to deliver durable returns, and its potential to scale through operational excellence and strong management teams.

Investment Vehicle

Structured as an investment vehicle, Acorn Agri & Food pairs deep sector knowledge with disciplined capital allocation. This gives us the flexibility to pursue a broad range of opportunities in agriculture and food, while upholding rigorous oversight and reporting standards.

By looking at the world through a shareholder lens, we act as careful custodians of capital, ensuring that every investment decision is aimed at generating sustainable long-term value. Our approach allows us to align operational performance with shareholder interests, providing transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes that reinforce trust and drive growth.

Investing across producer types

Unique Characteristics

Leading position in the growing animal health market

A management team with over 100 years' experience in agriculture and food with strong networks and a superior track record

Vertically integrated portfolio in both the agriculture and food sectors

Attractive blend of local and export earnings

Our Board

Andries Geertsema

Andries Geertsema

Chief Executive Officer

AAF Limited Acorn Venture Partners
  • BCompt, BCompt (Hons), CA(SA)
  • Previous Chief Financial Officer of Acorn Agri & Food from 1 January 2021 during corporate transactions such as the acquisition of Kyron Group (now AAF Animal Health), Bachmus and RSA Group; and disposals of AgVentures, Grassroots and Boltfast
  • Previous Associate Director at PwC Inc. with 14 years of experience, operating on listed and non-listed clients within the agricultural and retail sectors
Pierre Malan

Pierre Malan

Executive Director

AAF Limited Acorn Venture Partners
  • CA(SA)
  • Co-founder of Acorn Private Equity
  • 11-year history at PSG Group; CEO of PSG Capital, CEO of Paladin Capital (PSG's private equity vehicle); PSG Group Board member
  • Corporate finance deals including: Zeder, Pioneer, KWV, Kaap Agri, BKB, Overberg Agri, OVK, KLK, GWK
Douw de Kock

Douw de Kock

Chairperson

AAF Limited (Chairperson) AAF Invest
  • BCom, CFP
  • Previously chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2005
  • Agriculturalist until 2006
  • Financial Planner at Boshoff Visser Financial Services
Dr Johan van Zyl

Dr Johan van Zyl

Non-Executive Director

AAF Limited
  • PhD (Economics), D.Sc (Agric)
  • Co-CEO of African Rainbow Capital and CEO of UbuntuBotho Investments
  • Previously group CEO of Sanlam for 12 years
Anita Stemmet

Anita Stemmet

Non-Executive Director

AAF Limited AAF Invest
  • CA(SA)
  • 21 years as a partner with PwC
  • Currently the country lead for Cross Country Consulting
Tshepo Dhlamini

Tshepo Dhlamini

Non-Executive Director

AAF Invest Acorn Venture Partners
  • CA(SA), CGMA
  • B.Acc.Sci. (Taxation Honours) from the University of the Witwatersrand
  • Non-Executive Director representing African Rainbow Capital on the Upstream Board of Companies
Annmarie Steyn

Annmarie Steyn

Company Secretary

Company Secretary
  • B.Proc. LLB, Chartered Secretary Graduate; Advanced Diploma in Labour Law
  • Group Company Secretary since 2007
  • Head of Compliance
  • Trustee of the Development Trust
Alwyn van der Merwe

Alwyn van der Merwe

Non-Executive Director

AAF Limited
  • BCom (Hons) in Economics and MBA
  • 32 years' experience in the financial services industry
Cobus Visser

Cobus Visser

Vice Chairperson

AAF Limited
  • LLB
  • MD of Bremer Investments
  • Owns diversified farming operations in South Africa
  • Ex-Director of Gildenhuys van der Merwe Inc.
Dirkie Uys

Dirkie Uys

Non-Executive Director

AAF Limited (Vice Chairperson)
  • BCom (Hons)
  • Previously vice chairperson of Overberg Agri Limited and board member since 2013
  • Primary agriculturalist since 1996
Trurman Zuma

Trurman Zuma

Non-Executive Director

AAF Invest Acorn Venture Partners
  • BCom, PGradDip (Acc), CA(SA)
  • Principal Transactor at African Rainbow Capital
  • Previously CEO of Recurring Savings and of Integrated Solutions at Sanlam, and Head of Global Research and Investments for Barclays and Absa
  • Has served on several listed property boards, including Diversified, Capital Property, Pangbourne, Fortress and Texton
Jan Viljoen

Jan Viljoen

Non-Executive Director

AAF Limited
  • Diploma in Agriculture
  • Primary agriculturalist since 1996