Joffe Receives Helen Suzman Lifetime Achievement Award
The founder of Bidvest Group was honoured at the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards for his contribution to business and the Jewish community.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Awards
Brian Joffe, founder and former chief executive of Bidvest Group, received the Kirsh Family Lifetime Achievement Award in honour of Helen Suzman at the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards. The award was presented on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the career of a South African entrepreneur whose company grew to employ more than 160,000 people, and reflects the role of community institutions in honouring business leaders within the Jewish community.
Bidvest Group employed more than 160,000 people, and Bidvest and Bidcorp had 140,000 employees when Joffe left the company. Joffe's initial stake was a 50% interest in a pet food business.
The players
Brian Joffe
Founder and former chief executive of Bidvest Group, who built the company into a major South African conglomerate.
Bidvest Group
A South African diversified services and distribution conglomerate that Joffe founded and led for many years.
The details
Joffe accepted the award at the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards, which honoured his entrepreneurial journey from buying a stake in a pet food business to building Bidvest. He also praised the SA Jewish Report as the backbone, spokesperson and glue of South Africa's Jewish community.
Timeline
Sunday, 1 November 2026: Joffe receives the Kirsh Family Lifetime Achievement Award.
Culture Shift
The award is named for Helen Suzman, the anti-apartheid parliamentarian, and continues a tradition of linking civic recognition with social responsibility in South Africa. It also reflects the role of community awards in recognising business leaders who contribute beyond commerce.
The award draws attention to the work of the Jewish community and its institutions in South Africa. Readers interested in the event can follow future Investec Jewish Achiever Awards for similar honours.
The takeaway
Long-term business success is often measured alongside contributions to community life, and this award recognises both. Honours like the Kirsh Family Lifetime Achievement Award show how communities celebrate leaders who give back.
Further reading
Explore more awards coverage to see other honours recognising South African achievement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SA Jewish Report.
