Honouring a Visionary. Igniting Futures.
Upholding the Daring Spirit of Dr. Hans Merensky for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Imagine a mind that dared to see beyond the surface, eyes that look beyond the wind, a spirit that embraced the unknown with courage, and a legacy built on the conviction that knowledge can transform the world. This is the essence of Dr. Hans Merensky whose impact continues to resonate.
The Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation (“HMLF”) carries this extraordinary torch, ignited in 1949 through Dr. Merensky’s benevolent foresight of creating a Trust and the Trustees formalising a Foundation in 1973. Born from the absence of a natural successor and evolving into a dedicated not-for-profit company in 2022, we stand as a testament to his ensuring belief in the power of research, education, and sustainable scientific and resource development in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
His words echo through time, a
beacon of inspiration:
“This country has given to me so much, that I am only too happy to be allowed to help it to develop in some way, and I am grateful to be able to give back to it a fraction of what it has given to me.”
This profound sense of giving back fuels our mission to empower the next generation of courageous thinkers and innovative leaders.
Advancing Science with Courage, Cultivating Sustainability with Vision,
Empowering Education with Hope
The Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation (HMLF) is a catalyst for groundbreaking advancements, driven by a commitment to:
Daring to Conserve: Championing innovative research in soil, water, minerals, flora, and fauna, forging pathways towards genuine environmental and agricultural sustainability.
Pioneering with Purpose: Funding world-class research that challenges conventional thinking in avocado and timber sciences and boldly exploring new frontiers with high-spectral imaging and drone technology for mineral deposits and underground water discovery.
Empowering Future Leaders: Investing in students and universities through project research funding, nurturing the courageous minds that will shape tomorrow’s scientific and industrial landscape.
Pivoting Scientific Discoveries: Actively ensuring that science and innovation continues to create competitive advantages for the operating companies where equity investments are made, being Westfalia Fruit and Merensky Timber.
Assets that fund the HMLF Projects
In addition to investments in listed equity and bond markets, the main source of funding is derived from shares held by Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation in Westfalia Fruit and Merensky Timber. These funds are utilized to fund research projects and achieve other key objectives.
Westfalia Fruit is recognized as the Avo Expert. In addition to the wide range of avocado products, Westfalia Fruit supplies other fresh produce including citrus, cherries, blueberries and many others to the local and international markets. Its well-established distribution network ensures that fruit reaches markets in a timely manner, providing consumers with delicious, fresh and sustainably grown products.
Merensky Timber has been the proud supplier of quality hardwood and softwood since 1949. Its Eucalyptus and Pine are harvested in sustainably managed forests across South Africa, processed to world-class standards, and sold to customers locally and offshore.
Creating a Legacy of Impact, Together
We believe in the power of collaboration and the transformative potential of visionary research. By investing in Centres of Excellence and supporting research that pushes the very boundaries of plant biology, sustainable forestry, and resource management, we are actively shaping a brighter future.
We invite you, the daring minds of today, to join us in upholding Dr. Merensky’s conviction that science and education are not just keys, but powerful engines of progress.
As a not-for-profit entity (NPO), the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation operates with unwavering dedication, guided by a passionate Board of Directors. Every contribution, every funded project, is a step towards realising a more sustainable and innovative world.
