South Africa’s richest people in 2014

 ·6 Mar 2014

Forbes has released its annual listing of the world’s billionaires, and eight South Africans have made the grade for 2014, led by Richemont CEO, Johann Rupert.

While only two South African names appear in the top 500, the eight names listed by Forbes account for a total net worth of US$25.4 billion (R).

Topping the list for South Africans, luxury goods boss, Johann Rupert made his billions serving as chairman and CEO of Richemont, a Swiss holding company that controls brands such as Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Alfred Dunhill, Montblanc and Chloé.

Rupert is also the chairman of Remgro, which has South African technology interests in the CIV group of companies, and an investment in SEACOM.

According to Forbes, his net worth is US$7.6 billion (R82.35 billion), making him the 173rd richest man in the world.

South African diamond magnate, Nicky Oppenheimer is the 205th richest person in the world, and the second richest person in South Africa, according to Forbes, with a net worth of US$6.7 billion (R72.6 billion).

As chairman of the world’s largest diamond producer, De Beers, the Oppenheimer family has held control of the company since Ernest Oppenheimer (Nicky’s Grandfather) took the reins in 1927.

In 2011, Oppenheimer made the decision to sell the family’s 40% stake in De Beers to Anglo American for $5.1 billion. Ernest Oppenheimer started a long legacy in mining, having also founded Anglo American in 1917.

Shoprite chief, Christo Wiese is listed by Forbes as the 506th richest person in the world – narrowly missing out a top 500 position – and 3rd richest in South Africa, with a net worth of US$3.2 billion (R34.67 billion).

Wiese is the chairman, executive director and the largest single shareholder of Shoprite, Africa’s biggest retail, low-price supermarket chain.

Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe is South Africa’s first and only black billionaire (in dollar terms). With a net worth of $2.7 billion (R29.26 billion), he’s the 4th richest South African, and the 642nd richest person in the world.

Naspers CEO Koos Bekker, who will be leaving the chief position at the media and Internet giant in April, also made the grade with a net worth of US$1.3 billion (R14 billion).

Richest people in South Africa

Rank# Name Net Worth
ZAR
173 Johan Rupert & family $7.6 billion R82.35 billion
205 Nicky Oppenheimer & family $6.7 billion R72.60 billion
506 Christo Wiese $3.2 billion R34.67 billion
642 Patrice Motsepe $2.7 billion R29.26 billion
1284 Koos Bekker $1.3 billion R14.09 billion
1284 Allan Gray $1.3 billion R14.09 billion
1284 Stephen Saad $1.3 billion R14.09 billion
1284 Desmond Sacco $1.3 billion R14.09 billion

More on Forbes

Where South Africa’s rich live

South Africa’s rich cashing in

World’s richest people in 2013

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