South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s investment arm Sanlam Private Equity has acquired a majority stake in Medhold, a 38‑year‑old medical devices company operating across five Southern African markets. The deal marks a strategic expansion into healthcare technology for one of Africa’s most influential investment groups, Africa Business Insider reported.
Founded in 1988, Medhold supplies a broad range of advanced medical technology, including orthopedic, diagnostic, theatre, intensive care and robotic‑assisted surgical systems, alongside software and after‑sales support. The company serves clients in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, offering end‑to‑end services from product delivery and installation to clinical training.
Sanlam Private Equity’s acquisition follows a previous partnership with Old Mutual Private Equity, which acquired a 50 % stake in Medhold in 2018 and helped drive operational growth. With the new majority ownership, Sanlam plans to expand Medhold’s product portfolio, extend its reach to additional healthcare providers regionally, and maintain a strong emphasis on employee development and social responsibility initiatives such as training programmes and contributions to public health facilities, as highlighted by Businesstech.
Executives at Sanlam Private Equity said the investment reflects confidence in the resilience and long‑term potential of the Southern African healthcare sector. They described Medhold as a business that can generate both sustainable value and positive social impact as demand for advanced medical equipment and services continues to grow across the region.
