About Us

The Firth Group started out as a family owned farm—5 generations ago, when Thomas Spence Leask set first foot in South Africa in 1872. Whilst Thomas Leask’s primary mission originally started out by opening a general dealer shop in Wolmaransstad, many years later—through a series of misfortunes relating to the Second Boer War (1899-1902) and the Afrikaaner Rebellion (1914-1915)—that he [providentially so, one might say] sold his general dealer shop, opting to buy farmland to have a go at farming.

Now, some 150 years later, 5th generation John LG Firth (Leask Gates) sits at the helm of a significantly larger, more complex farming enterprise than that which 1st generation Thomas Spence Leask begun so long ago.

Since taking over the reins from his father, 4th generation ‘Doc’ Ian L Firth (Leask), John’s keen involvement with the business has led to the expansion and development of several of the farm’s business divisions.

Not too long ago, the former name Highlands Trust, was changed to Makwassie Spruit Enterprises—an entity which is now nationally marketed in the media and referred to in public relations, using the rather appropriate umbrella business name known as the Firth Group, comprising the following business divisions and brands: Firth Red Brangus, Firth Wagyu, Makwassiepsruit Pecan Nuts, and Highlands Cycads.

At the Firth Group, we acknowledge that times won’t always be easy in farming—the farming industry in South Africa is currently under an enormous state of flux. For us though, one thing remains certain and it’s this: farming is in our blood. It runs through our veins. We don’t plan on giving up on farming too easily either. As John Firth says: “We remain curious and courageous for what’s yet to come!”

Board of Directors

John Firth

John Firth

ceo

Doc Ian Firth

Dr Ian Firth

non-executive director

Piet Botma

Piet Botma

managing director

Divisions Managers

Ben Groenewald

Ben Groenewald

Cattle and weaner calves

Maryke Groenewald

Maryke Groenewald

support functions devision

firth group,firth group farming

Gerrit Diederiks

pecan nuts and cycads

Adrian Baillie-Stewart

Adrian Baillie-Stewart

digital communications consultant