Championing positive change.
Generating exponential value.
Recognising the untapped possibility of emerging and frontier markets is not just a skill. It is one of our core tenets in driving growth and investment in the hospitality, tourism, energy, and convenience sectors. We are immensely proud of the strong and lasting partnerships we have formed with international brands, and how these partnerships have put SA on the map as an industry leader.
Our business approach.
We have a strong set of core values supporting us on our mission to nurture potential and unlock value in emerging markets:
Putting People First
People are our priority. Central to this approach is anticipating our customers’ every need and responding with care. We believe that serving people is about providing positive brand experiences that meet global standards.
Partnering for Success
Our partners are our family. We support each other with pride in our offerings and the shared goal of meeting strategic objectives with outstanding service.
In-house proprietary expertise and capital
We have developed our in-house expertise from years of experience, growing our capital and knowledge in the process. These are integral components of our strategy and have also led us to prioritise investment in talent to drive growth and deliver innovative solutions.
Fostering Innovation
Our ventures are driven by a desire to push boundaries and bring “the new.” Whether it is through innovatively adapting global trends to the local market, or piloting never-before-seen concepts, we are not afraid to wade into uncharted waters.
Building long-lasting connections with our customers.
Message from CEO,
Hamza Farooqui
Greetings from my office
…located in the heart of Sandton in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic engine room.
Our journey, rooted in the soil of South Africa, is a testament to our unwavering belief in the boundless potential of this great nation and our continent at large. It is a belief that has fuelled our transformation across the hospitality, tourism, energy, and convenience sectors. Our vision is clear: to lead with innovation, create memorable experiences, and foster economic growth and job creation. Our approach is grounded in our core values – humanness, commitment, and hard work – principles that guide us as we partner across the value chain, tapping into emerging markets and turning opportunities into success.
Our mission extends beyond business; it is about crafting a legacy of socio-economic development for South Africa. With strategic foresight, we have embraced an asset-light strategy, leveraging our proprietary capital to unlock value and nurture potential in key sectors. This dedication has led us to form strategic, lasting partnerships with leading international brands, placing South Africa on the map as an industry leader.
It is a commitment that speaks to the heart of what we do: putting people first, fostering innovation, and partnering for success. Our in-house expertise, cultivated through years of experience, drives our growth, allowing us to deliver innovative solutions and drive meaningful change.
As we look to the future, our path is one of relentless innovation and dedication to excellence. From launching the first global hotel brand in Cape Town to introducing ground-breaking concepts like our dark kitchen and bringing internationally renowned convenience brands to South African consumers, our journey is marked by milestones that reflect our values. These accomplishments are not just ours but belong to every individual and partner who has joined us in believing in the transformative power of strategic collaboration and innovation.
Together, we stand committed to playing a pivotal role in Africa’s growth story, harnessing the continent’s potential, and contributing to its thriving economy. This is more than just business; it is our passion and our promise to you.
Forging strategic partnerships
to create positive change in the world.
Millat Global Holdings is responsible for the group’s global interests and provides for external capital deployment outside of South Africa. Based in the heart of the DIFC (Dubai International Finance Centre), our location gives Millat Global Holdings the freedom and flexibility to work and engage with international entities in our venture towards success.
Creating unforgettable experiences through exceptional service.
Putting
people first
We keep our finger on the pulse of customer needs to ensure we not only meet but surpass their expectations, every time.
Partnering
for success
We provide exceptional service that adheres to global standards while maintaining a locally relevant approach.
Inhouse proprietary
expertise and capital
We work with top-tier professionals to drive our business growth, while also nurturing emerging talent within our industry.
Fostering
innovation
We follow a hands-on approach in everything we do, from localised menus to customising the latest global innovations in our industry.
Millat’s history of excellence in the hospitality sector began in 2009 with the launch of our first global hotel brand – Coral Hotels in Cape Town. This move laid the foundation for our partnership with global hotel brand Hilton, culminating in the rebranding of Coral Cape Town to Hilton Cape Town in 2011. Our journey continued with the acquisition of the Pezula Resort in Knysna, rebranded as Conrad Pezula – the first of its kind on African soil.
COVID-19 fundamentally shifted how the South African hospitality industry operates. Through this challenging time, our resilience propelled us toward a series of successful ventures. Millat proudly joined forces with global hotel company Hyatt opening the Hyatt Regency Cape Town in 2020 and Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton in 2022. In the same year, Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank welcomed its first guests, followed by the Park Hyatt in 2024.
All these establishments go beyond just accommodation. They far surpass “a home away from home.” They provide an immersive experience and a space for creating enduring memories, consistently evoking a desire to return.
As the popularity of delivery and convenience food soared post-COVID, Millat jumped in with an innovative offering, new to the South African market. Our dark kitchen concept used our existing assets to eliminate the physical dining space, allowing us to focus on quality food and efficient delivery. Our fast-food brands Dhaba and Ghimba have served Johannesburg uniquely South African, Bo Kaap-inspired flavours since 2022, with a Cape Town operation established in 2024.
Placing customers at the
heart of convenience.
Putting
people first
Our aim is to provide local customers with access to the most thrilling convenience brands from around the globe.
Partnering
for success
We establish strategic alliances with global brands to expand their presence while fostering local economic growth
and creating employment opportunities.
Inhouse proprietary
expertise and capital
The combined expertise of our team in providing outstanding customer
service serves as a catalyst for cultivating future talent within the industry.
Fostering
innovation
We provide our customers with access to the most recent global trends and innovations, tailored to suit local preferences and needs.
Millat’s presence in the convenience and energy sectors is integral to providing emerging markets with world-class products and customer service.
Joining forces with Canadian-owned giant Alimentation Couche Tard gave us the exclusive licence to bring internationally renowned convenience brand Circle K to the South African market. Hard work and dedication to providing the best for the South African consumer led to the opening of five Circle K stores across South Africa in less than a year. Our dedication to growing local economies and providing the best in convenience continues as we expand our offering throughout the Sub-Saharan region with the first store opening its doors in Tanzania with many more to follow.
The acquisition of the Calstar Group and a strategic alliance formed with Trafigura-owned Puma Energy saw the beginning of our mission to grow the South African energy sector. These international brands are now proudly represented across SA in provinces including Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, North West, and the Free State.
Our ambition to bring global convenience brands to local markets knows no boundaries. An ambition that led to yet another historic partnership being signed in the form of an exclusive licensing agreement being signed with the acclaimed fresh food and coffee chain, Pret A Manger. The partnership marks the brand’s first foray on the African continent, with significant expansion plans earmarked in South Africa over the next 10 years.
