Our Historic Timeline
2000 – 2024 Period
March 2022
Relaunch of Sable Lager
March 2021
Buys the Mutare Bottling Company
April 2020
Purchases 100% of United National Breweries
November 2018
Afdis becomes subsidiary after attaining 50.4% share
August 2014
Delta gains 21.4% shareholding of Nampak Zimbabwe after packaging industry merger
January 2010
Purchases 49% stake in Schweppes
November 2009
Concludes sale of 41% of Ariston
September 2005
Launches Eagle Lager
November 2005
Acquires 39% stake in Ariston
November 2004
Invests in Headend glass furnace venture
July 2003
Milk Stout reintroduced
April 2002
Pelhams listed on ZSE
January 2002
Zimsun demerged from group
October 2001
OK Zimbabwe listed on ZSE
1980 – 1999 Period
May 1999
Centenary Lager launched for 100-year anniversary
March 1998
Beer-canning line commissioned
April 1997
Third phase extension at Maltings officially opened by Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa
February 1997
3 for 1 share split
February 1995
10 for 1 share split to stimulate activity on ZSE
July 1994
Bulawayo Bottlers bought for $171m
February 1993
New $200m brewhouse and bottling hall at Southerton officially opened
August 1990
Bohlingers Lager launched
June 1990
Second phase extension at Maltings officially opened
June 1990
Second phase extension at Maltings officially opened
May 1990
Launch of Zambezi Export Lager
July 1989
Rationalisation of the soft-drinks industry
March 1985
Move to new headquarters at Sable House from Stanley House
September 1984
Deputy Prime Minister Simon Muzenda opens the new plant at Bulawayo Bottlers
July 1984
Sprite, Lemon Twist introduced
January 1980
Acquires RIH-Coca-Cola Co bottling franchises of Mashonaland and Victoria
1950 – 1978 Period
April 1978
Name changed to Delta Corporation
March 1978
Acquires OK Bazaars and Springmaster
August 1976
Que Que Maltings commisioned
June 1970
Carling Black Label launched
December 1969
Rhobrew announces major investment to create nationwide hotel chain
August 1968
Major label relaunch of Castle and Lion Lager
December 1969
Rhobrew announces major investment to create nationwide hotel chain
February 1967
Rhobrew acquires one-third stake in Heinrich’s Chibuku
February 1962
Official opening of Southerton Brewery by PM Roy Welensky on February 2
April 1960
Inaugral Castle Tankard run at Borrowdale Racecourse
July 1958
Acquisition of stake in Afdis holding company
May 1958
Canned beer launched in Salisbury
November 1956
Bulawayo Bottlers produces first Fanta in Southern Africa, introduced in Salisbury in May 1958
1898 – 1956 Period
July 1956
Schweppes launches its mineral water products
June 1956
Beer merger in SA sees interests consolidated in Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland
February 1956
Schweppes acquires majority share in Spa Food Products, makers of Mazoe Crush
June 1955
Sparletta launched with Orange flavour
January 1952
Rhodesian Breweries shareholders agree on merger scheme with SAB
May 1951
SAB brewery opened in Ndola, Northen Rhodesia
October 1950
Sable Brewery opened in Bulawayo on October 30
December 1948
First Coca-Cola produced in Salisbury
September 1946
JF Kapnek registers Rhodesian Breweries
September 1931
Maltings plant at Salisbury Brewery officially opened
December 1911
Rebuilt six-storey Salisbury brewery officially opened
May 1910
South African Breweries (SAB) acquires Breweries Ltd, reconstructed after 1905 liquidation.
August 1898
Salisbury Mayor, Ernest Fairbridge, lays the foundation stone at the Salisbury Lager & Beer Company on August 30
