South Africa’s richest individuals now hold a combined net worth of $36.7 billion (R610 billion), according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker, highlighting the country’s entrenched economic divide and the enduring power of capital in the hands of a few.
The tracker lists seven South African billionaires, with fortunes amassed through a range of industries including mining, retail, finance, and luxury goods.
Some have inherited family fortunes, while others are self-made, having built empires through strategic reinvestment and global expansion.
Wealth, Legacy and Leverage
Many among the billionaire elite benefitted from early access to capital, favourable business environments, or family legacies.
Others took advantage of early opportunities in emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals and fintech.
Despite their varied paths, one common thread runs through their stories: the ability to grow and compound wealth across generations.
Controversy and Criticism
The concentration of wealth has sparked concern in a nation grappling with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, rising living costs, and persistent inequality.
Critics argue that today’s billionaire class often benefits from historical and structural advantages, including apartheid-era economic access and modern tax loopholes.
Still, defenders point out that these individuals employ thousands of South Africans, fund philanthropic initiatives, and drive key sectors of the economy.
The Power of Capital
Whether celebrated as visionary entrepreneurs or criticised as symbols of inequality, South Africa’s billionaires wield significant influence both at home and abroad.
They stand at the apex of the country’s economic pyramid – where capital not only accumulates, but amplifies, often across borders and generations.
As South Africa continues to debate wealth redistribution and economic transformation, the billionaire class remains central to discussions on what the future of shared prosperity should look like.
Meanwhile, in terms of the overall world list, South Africa-born Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person with a reported $413.8 billion.
Below, the list of the top seven richest South Africans in the world as of 18 August 2025.
| Rank | Name | Last week | This week | Source |
| 210 | Johann Rupert & family | $12.7bn | $12.8bn | Luxury goods |
| 275 | Nicky Oppenheimer & family | $10.4bn | $10.4bn | Diamonds |
| 1 014 | Koos Bekker | $3.7bn | $3.8bn | Media, investments |
| 1 161 | Patrice Motsepe | $3.4bn | $3.4bn | Mining |
| 1 458 | Michiel Le Roux | $2.6bn | $2.7bn | Banking |
| 1 998 | Jannie Mouton & family | $1.9bn | $1.9bn | Retail |
| 2 162 | Christo Wiese | $1.7bn | $1.7bn | Financial services |
| TOTAL | $36.4bn | $36.7bn |
1. Johann Rupert & Family
Net Worth: $12.8 billion
Industry: Luxury Goods, Finance
At the top of the list is Johann Rupert, chair of Compagnie Financière Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group behind brands like Cartier, Montblanc, and Dunhill. With significant holdings in financial services and investments, Rupert has masterfully expanded his wealth while maintaining a relatively low public profile.
2. Nicky Oppenheimer
Net Worth: $10.4 billion
Industry: Diamonds, Investment
The former chairman of De Beers, Nicky Oppenheimer sold the family’s 40% stake in the diamond giant to Anglo American for $5.1 billion in 2012. Since then, he has grown his fortune through private equity investments and conservation initiatives across Africa.
3. Koos Bekker
Net Worth: $3.8 billion
Industry: Media, Technology
Known for turning Naspers into a global tech giant, Koos Bekker made headlines by investing early in China’s Tencent. That decision alone brought in tens of billions for Naspers. Bekker’s strategic leadership transformed the company from a local media firm into a global player.
4. Patrice Motsepe
Net Worth: $3.4 billion
Industry: Mining, Finance
Patrice Motsepe made his fortune through African Rainbow Minerals, becoming South Africa’s first black billionaire. A key figure in Black Economic Empowerment, he also holds a stake in financial services firm Sanlam and is a noted philanthropist and investor in sports.
5. Michiel Le Roux
Net Worth: $2.7 billion
Industry: Banking
Founder of Capitec Bank, Michiel Le Roux revolutionised South Africa’s banking landscape by creating a low-cost, accessible banking model. The bank’s growth and profitability have made it a darling on the JSE and a consistent driver of Le Roux’s wealth.
6. Jannie Mouton
Net Worth: $1.9 billion
Industry: Investments
The founder of PSG Group, Jannie Mouton earned the nickname “Boere Buffett” for his savvy investment strategy. PSG has stakes in Capitec, Curro (education), and various agricultural and financial firms, making Mouton a quiet force in South African business.
7. Christo Wiese
Net Worth: $1.7 billion
Industry: Retail
Despite setbacks with the collapse of Steinhoff, Christo Wiese remains a retail titan with interests in Shoprite and other ventures. Once South Africa’s richest man, Wiese is rebuilding and diversifying his portfolio.
How far off are YOU from joining this list of South African dollar billionaires?
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