Saul Saltzman, son of Dis-Chem founders, resigns from board

Saul Saltzman, the son of South African billionaire and Dis-Chem Pharmacies founders Ivan and Lynette Saltzman, has resigned from the healthcare retailer’s board, marking another senior leadership change at the JSE-listed company. 

Saltzman, who served as an executive director for 19 years, initially stepped down from his executive role on Feb. 27, 2026. He later informed the board of his decision to resign as a non-executive director, effective July 17, 2026. 

The board thanked Saltzman for his years of service, commitment and contribution to the growth of the business.

Leadership changes at Dis-Chem 

Saltzman’s departure follows a series of changes among Dis-Chem’s senior leadership team. 

His father, Ivan Saltzman, resigned as an executive director on June 30 but remains on the company’s board. Ivan stepped down as chief executive officer in 2023, with then-Chief Financial Officer Rui Morais taking over the role. 

Lynette Saltzman also left her position as an executive director in 2022 to focus on an operational role within Dis-Chem’s beauty category. 

Stanley Goetsch, who spent 42 years with the company, also retired as an executive director on June 30, 2026. 

Saltzman’s exit comes as Dis-Chem continues to reshape its leadership structure following years of expansion that turned the business from a single Johannesburg pharmacy into one of South Africa’s largest healthcare retailers.

Saltzman family wealth and share changes 

In June 2025, Saul’s brothers, Dan and Mark Saltzman, received billions of rand worth of Dis-Chem shares as part of a broader restructuring of the family’s wealth holdings. 

The brothers later sold a combined R640 million ($38.8 million) worth of Dis-Chem shares between January and February 2026, with each selling stock valued at about R320 million ($19.4 million). 

The Saltzman family recently joined South Africa’s billionaire ranks, with Bloomberg estimating their wealth at about $1.3 billion. Their fortune was built through Dis-Chem Pharmacies, which was founded by Ivan and Lynette Saltzman in 1978. 

The retailer has since expanded into a nationwide healthcare group with pharmacies, clinics, wellness centres and retail outlets across South Africa.

Dis-Chem reports revenue growth 

Dis-Chem reported stronger annual revenue growth for the year ended Feb. 28, 2026, supported by new store openings, increased market share and continued investment in healthcare services. 

The Midrand-based healthcare retail group reported revenue of R42.8 billion ($2.59 billion), up 9.3% from R39.2 billion ($2.37 billion) a year earlier. 

During his tenure, Saul Saltzman held several strategic roles at Dis-Chem, including leading the company’s import division and overseeing its private-label strategy. His 19 years with the group covered a period of significant expansion as Dis-Chem strengthened its position in South Africa’s competitive pharmacy and healthcare market.