South Africa is well-known among numerous African countries to have many prominent individuals. The government has internationally recognized and influential people who are regarded as billionaires. In this article, we will talk about the top 7 wealthiest people in South Africa.
Top 7 Richest People in South Africa
South Africa is blessed to have some successful individuals who have accumulated much wealth. These individuals have their businesses and investments that place them at the forefront of affluent individuals in the country. The seven wealthiest people in South Africa include;
Johann Rupert – $13.8 Billion
Johann Rupert is a South African billionaire businessman who is the wealthiest person in South Africa. As the eldest son of business tycoon Anton Rupert, he heads the Swiss-based luxury good company Richemont and Remgro, a South African-based company.
How did he make his money?
Johann Rupert makes his money from his historic family business. His fortune and family are generated from the luxury goods company Richemont, which heads other brands, including Cartier and Montblanc.
Nicky Oppenheimer – $10.4 Billion
Nicky Oppenheimer is the second richest man in South Africa, having held some top positions, including chairman of De Beers, Diamond Trading Company, and Anglo American.
The South African-born was formerly regarded as the richest in the country in 2019 and currently sits at number two.
How did he make his money?
Nicky Oppenheimer made his fortune off the family business, Dee Beers, a mining company. The company played a major part in the South African diamond industry for over 100 years.
Koos Bekker – $3.4 Billion
Koos Bekker, whose full name is Jacobus Petrus “Koos” Bekker, is the third richest in South Africa. He is the chairman of Naspers, a media group presently in 130 countries and listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
How does he make his money?
Koos Bekker makes money from his media company, Naspers, which has a strong presence in diverse countries. Also, through his media company, he owns a significant stake in Chinese Technology company Tencent.
Patrice Motsepe – $3 Billion
Patrice Motsepe is a South African businessman and the current serving president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He is the owner of African Rainbow Minerals and a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum.
How does he make his money?
Patrice Motsepe made his fortune through his mining company, African Rainbow Minerals. He further earns from the South African football club, Mamelodi Sundowns, which he owns, and various other positions.
Michiel Le Roux – $2.2 Billion
Michiel Le Roux, whose full name is Michiel Scholtz du Pré Le Roux, is a businessman and co-founder of South Africa’s Capitec Bank. He owns private companies, including Fynbos Ekwiteit and Fynbos Kapitaal, and remains a prominent donor to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
How does he make his money?
Michiel Le Roux made his money off the back of Capitec Bank, which is one of the largest in South Africa. He also benefits from owning diverse private companies.
Jannie Mouton – $1.5 Billion
Jannie Mouton is a well-recognized South African businessman and chairman of PSG Group. He is also the founder of one of the largest banks in South Africa, known as Capitec Bank.
How does he make his money?
Jannie Mouton made his fortune from his financial service company, PSG Group. He further benefits from the Capitec Bank, which he co-founded with fellow businessman Michiel Le Roux.
Christoffel Wiese – $1.5 Billion
Christoffel Wiese is a South African businessman and the seventh wealthiest person in the country. Known as a longtime chairman of Pepkor and Shoprite. He has been involved in the business industry for years.
Christoffel Wiese was a one-time chairman and top shareholder of Steinhoff International until it crashed.
How did he make his money?
Christoffel Wiese made his money from stakes in Shoprite and Pepkor. He is also involved in mining and real estate, which is thriving in South Africa.
From luxury business to media, finance, and retail, the above individuals have enormously contributed to the advancement of the South African economy.