Top 5 Richest Billionaires in South Africa
South Africa, a nation of stark economic diversity, is home to a handful of extraordinary individuals who have ascended to the prestigious ranks of dollar billionaires. At the forefront of this exclusive club stand five noteworthy names: Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, Patrice Motsepe, Koos Bekker, and Michiel Le Roux.
These South African billionaires collectively represent over 25% of the entire African billionaire population, and what’s intriguing is that each of them has gracefully crossed the age of 60. Patrice Motsepe, at 61, is the youngest among these financial titans, while the venerable Nicky Oppenheimer, the inheritor of the DeBeers diamond fortune, leads the pack at a sprightly 77.
In the ever-evolving saga of billionaires, as of 1 September 2023, Forbes, the custodian of the wealth narrative, unveils the financial standing of these illustrious five. Johann Rupert, a luminary in the realm of luxury goods, reigns as the wealthiest man in South Africa, wielding an estimated net worth of $10.4 billion. His fortunes have surged remarkably, marking a substantial 16.8% increment from the $8.9 billion he commanded in 2022. Notably, this is the second consecutive year Rupert has witnessed his wealth ascend, signifying his consistent financial growth.
In Rupert’s formidable wake, Nicky Oppenheimer takes the second position with a formidable fortune of $8.3 billion. This esteemed diamond magnate experienced a marginal decrease of $400 million from the previous year, underlining the dynamic nature of wealth accumulation.
South Africa’s esteemed roster of billionaires also features two familiar figures: Patrice Motsepe, the stalwart in mineral resources, has encountered a decline in his wealth, his fortune dwindling by $900 million to reach $2.4 billion. On the other hand, media mogul Koos Bekker, whose wealth witnessed a 23% decrease in 2022, showcased resilience by manifesting a 4.3% surge, equating to $100 million, bringing his total net worth to $2.4 billion.
A compelling subplot emerges with Michiel Le Roux, the co-founder of Capitec Bank, whose wealth trajectory has taken a distinct downturn. Reportedly, the period between January 2022 and February 2023 bore witness to the devaluation of the South African Rand, coupled with a decline in the performance of Le Roux’s stake in Capitec Bank. This somber synergy resulted in a substantial dip of over $800 million, causing his net worth to plummet from $1.8 billion to $1 billion. To add a final twist to this tale, Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker no longer features Michiel Le Roux, and his last recorded net worth stands at $1 billion.
The following table summarizes the ranks, net worth, and percentage change in wealth for these South African billionaires as of 1 September:
| Rank | Billionaire | 2022 | Sep 2023 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | Johann Rupert | $8.9 billion | $10.4 billion | +16.8% |
| 264 | Nicky Oppenheimer | $8.7 billion | $8.3 billion | -4.6% |
| 1291 | Patrice Motsepe | $3.3 billion | $2.4 billion | -27% |
| 1298 | Koos Bekker | $2.3 billion | $2.4 billion | +4.3% |
| – | Michiel le Roux | $1.8 billion | $1.0 billion | -44.4% |
This narrative of South Africa’s billionaires offers a glimpse into the ever-fluctuating world of wealth, where fortunes ascend, descend, and sometimes even vanish from the ranks of billionaires.
