Meet South Africa’s 7 Richest Men and How They Built Their Fortunes

Who Are The Richest Men In South Africa?

South Africa continues to be home to some of the continent’s wealthiest and most influential individuals. Their fortunes are drawn from a variety of industries including luxury goods, mining, telecommunications, retail, and finance. In 2025, seven South African billionaires stand out with their remarkable wealth, entrepreneurial spirit, and impact across Africa and globally. This article introduces South Africa’s seven richest men, explaining how they built their fortunes and the sectors that underpin their success.

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1. Johann Rupert – The Luxury Empire Mogul

Net Worth: Approximately $14.5 billion (R270 billion) in mid-2025
Industry: Luxury goods, investments
Key Holdings: Richemont (owner of Cartier, Montblanc, Dunhill), Remgro

Johann Rupert remains South Africa’s richest man and one of the continent’s wealthiest individuals. He inherited the business acumen of his family and developed it into a luxury empire through Richemont, a Swiss-based conglomerate owning prestigious brands like Cartier and Montblanc. Rupert holds over 10% of Richemont’s shares but controls the majority of voting power, reinforcing his grip on the business.

Beyond luxury goods, Rupert chairs Remgro, an investment company with diverse interests spanning healthcare, financial services, and media. His ability to blend heritage with global expansion has propelled his fortune upwards, making him a dominant figure in South African business.

2. Nicky Oppenheimer – Mining Magnate with a Diamond Legacy

Net Worth: Around $10.5 billion (R195 billion) as of 2025
Industry: Mining (Diamonds)
Key Holdings: Former controlling interest in De Beers, investments through family trust

Nicky Oppenheimer is synonymous with South Africa’s diamond mining story. His family’s legacy in De Beers, the world-renowned diamond mining company, has been a cornerstone of his wealth. Although the Oppenheimer family sold their controlling stake in De Beers to Anglo American over a decade ago, Nicky’s investments through his family trust continue to sustain his wealth.

Besides mining, Oppenheimer is engaged in philanthropy, focusing on education and conservation. His legacy combines a deep mining heritage with strategic wealth management in diverse sectors.

3. Patrice Motsepe – The Mining Pioneer and Philanthropist

Net Worth: Estimated at $3.2 billion (R60 billion) in 2025
Industry: Mining and investments
Key Holdings: African Rainbow Minerals, Harmony Gold

Patrice Motsepe is South Africa’s first Black billionaire and a leading figure in mining. He gained prominence by revitalising underperforming gold and platinum mines and creating African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), a diversified mining company with significant holdings in several precious metals.

Motsepe also chairs Harmony Gold and has interests in fintech and renewable energy through his investment firm, African Rainbow Capital. His philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Motsepe Foundation and the Giving Pledge, commit substantial wealth towards social development.

4. Koos Bekker – The Media and Technology Investor

Net Worth: Approximately $3.6 billion (R67 billion) as of 2025
Industry: Media, technology, investments
Key Holdings: Naspers, Prosus

Koos Bekker transformed Naspers, South Africa’s media giant, from a newspaper publisher into a global internet and technology investment powerhouse. Naspers’ notable investment in Tencent, the Chinese internet titan, dramatically increased the firm’s value and Bekker’s personal wealth.

He continues to focus on technology, ecommerce, and digital innovation through Prosus, Naspers’ international investment arm. Bekker’s fortune reflects successful navigation of media disruptions and global tech trends.

5. Michiel le Roux – Banking Visionary

Net Worth: Estimated $2.6 billion (R48 billion) in 2025
Industry: Banking and finance
Key Holdings: Founder of Capitec Bank

Michiel le Roux is best known for founding Capitec Bank, which revolutionised banking in South Africa with its simple, affordable, and customer-centric model. Capitec’s rapid growth into one of the country’s largest retail banks has made le Roux a billionaire.

Le Roux’s focus on financial inclusion and technology-driven solutions has challenged traditional banks and expanded banking access to millions, embodying innovation in South Africa’s financial sector.

6. Jannie Mouton – The “Boere Buffett” Investor

Net Worth: Roughly $1.9 billion (R35 billion) in 2025
Industry: Private equity, investments
Key Holdings: Founding partner of PSG Group

Nicknamed the “Boere Buffett” for his value investing approach, Jannie Mouton founded PSG Group, a leading investment holding company in South Africa. Mouton’s focus is on identifying undervalued assets and building them into market leaders across agriculture, financial services, and education sectors.

His disciplined, long-term investment strategy has earned him recognition and financial success akin to global investment legends.

7. Christo Wiese – Retail Tycoon

Net Worth: Estimated $1.7 billion (R31 billion) in 2025
Industry: Retail and investments
Key Holdings: Shoprite, Pepkor Group

Christo Wiese built his fortune primarily through retail investments, notably in Shoprite, Africa’s largest supermarket chain, and Pepkor Group, a giant in discount retail. His business acumen in retail expansion and diversification has made him a stalwart in South Africa’s consumer sector.

Despite encountering challenges in recent years, Wiese remains influential through his strategic stakes and business leadership.

The Common Threads: How They Built Their Fortunes

• Diversification and Strategic Investments: Many of South Africa’s richest men have diversified across industries and geographies, mitigating risks and capitalising on growth areas.
• Legacy and Innovation: Several come from business families but have successfully adapted or transformed legacy businesses for modern markets.
• Focus on Emerging Markets: They often leverage Africa’s growth opportunities, investing in mining, retail, fintech, and renewable energy.
• Philanthropy and Social Impact: Many contribute significant portions of their wealth to philanthropy, focusing on education, economic development, and social upliftment.

Curious how the continent’s wealthiest stack up and who’s leading the charge? The 10 Richest People in Africa: South Africans Dominate the List. Click to uncover who’s at the top and what their success might mean for South Africa’s future.

Among The Richest

The wealth of South Africa’s richest men in 2025 illustrates a blend of heritage, vision, and adaptability. From luxury goods to mining and fintech, their fortunes reflect major sectors driving Africa’s economic future. Their stories offer insight into entrepreneurship, innovation, and the importance of strategic investment in a shifting global landscape.