Meikles Africa

n the late nineteenth century three brothers, John, Stewart and Thomas Meikle emigrated from Scotland to Southern Africa. In 1892 the brothers opened a successful trading business in Fort Victoria which spread across all the major centres such as Bulawayo, Umtali (now Mutare) and Salisbury (now Harare) in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In 1915 Thomas opened a hotel in present-day Harare.

The Meikles brand has continued to grow over the last 100 years and is now very prominent in the hotel, retail, supermarket chain, agriculture and security services industries. The company owns the Meikles Hotel in Harare Zimbabwe, The Victoria Falls Hotel in a joint venture arrangement with African Sun and also has a significant shareholding in the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.

For many years Meikles Limited operated under the supermarket chain TM Supermarkets. In recent years, Meikles Limited has partnered with Pick n Pay South Africa and now operates as TM Pick n Pay.

Greatermans Stores (1979) (Private) Limited, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Meikles Limited, offers department store style retail and currently operates under 2 brands, namely Barbours and The M Store. 

Tanganda Tea Company which is a popular household brand name in Zimbabwe is 100% owned by Meikles Limited. They are the biggest distributor of bulk tea, packaged tea and also produce bottled spring water known as Tinga Mira. Tanganda Tea Company also has estates growing avocados and macadamia nuts.

Meikles Guard Services offers security guard services across Zimbabwe.

Meikles Limited as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio runs the Meikles Foundation which works mainly with the arts, education, and prisons.