Studio portrait of H.L. Hall
Our founder, H.L. Hall.

Our story

135 years of growth and evolution.

A long history

Halls has grown by embracing change while remaining true to the values that have guided us from the beginning.

  1. 1890s — Origins

    Farming the land at Mataffin

    Stewardship, resilience and long-term thinking took root from the very beginning.

    Sepia photograph of a dirt road winding through bushveld toward a rocky hill at Mataffin
    [1890s DIRT-ROAD CAPTION — Q-041]
    Sepia photograph of a span of oxen hauling a laden wagon across a wide river, bushveld and hills beyond
    [1890s OX-WAGON CAPTION — Q-041]
    Early ink illustration of the mountain skyline at Mataffin — the same skyline as the era's photograph

  2. 1920s — Growth

    From farm to household name

    A reputation built on quality, trust and enduring relationships laid the foundation for adaptive growth.

    Black-and-white photograph of crates of fruit and vegetables lining the covered loading platform beside the railway tracks at Mataffin Station
    Fruit and vegetables ready for shipment at Mataffin Station.
    The early H.L. Hall & Sons trade mark — the HLH crest with Tomango and Eastern Transvaal ribbons

  3. 1960s — Resilience

    Adapting through change

    Periods of challenge inspired innovation and resilience, strengthening the foundations for the future.

    Black-and-white photograph of workers passing boxed produce from a loaded trailer into a railway wagon lettered Mechanical Refrigerator
    Refrigerated rail transport.
    The H.L. Hall & Sons trade mark wreathed in lemons — HLH, Mataffin, Eastern Transvaal, Est 1890

  4. 1990s — Transformation

    Growing beyond agriculture

    New opportunities emerged as Halls evolved from a farming business into a diversified group, while staying true to its roots.

    A technician operates the control panel of a Sinclair iQ grading machine in the packhouse
    Pioneering technology in the ripe and ready space.
    The 1994 H.L. Hall & Sons crest — the HLH shield in maroon, Est 1890, with Mataffin and Mpumalanga ribbons and oranges beneath

  5. 2000s — Diversification

    Investing in what’s next

    Building on decades of experience, Halls expanded into property development , data and technology, life sciences and several pioneering new market bets, creating a portfolio of businesses positioned for future growth.

    A scientist in a cleanroom suit and gloves decants a sample from a flask at a laboratory bench, bioreactors behind the glass
    Deltamune Laboratories.
    A jar of Zembrin powder with a spoon, surrounded by capsules, tablets and loose extract on a white table
    A patented extract of the Sceletium plant.
    The H.L. Hall & Sons shield in green — HLH, Mataffin South Africa, Est 1890

  6. Today — Looking Ahead

    Building for tomorrow

    We have a group united through consolidation of our diverse bets into a four industry business with more than 135 years of patient and purposeful thinking, creating lasting value across industries, communities and generations.

    A farm road running between orchards toward the sunrise
    The Halls Group crest — the mark in use today

Six generations of leadership

For more than 135 years, each generation has built on the foundations of the businesses that we have thrived at , contributing to the next chapter of the Halls story.

Several generations of the family gathered around Halls-crested celebration cakes A wooden fruit crate marked Celebrating 125 Years among glasses and candlelight on the gala dinner table A speaker with a microphone addresses the gathered family from a stone pavilion at the dedication service Guests talking between tables on the grass at the evening braai, festoon lights strung overhead against a deep blue sky