Forbes Real-Time Billionaire 2024 List Highlights South African Tycoons Growing Their Fortunes
The Forbes Real-Time Billionaires list for 2024 highlights six South African business leaders whose wealth has surged significantly over the past year. Despite global economic fluctuations, these individuals have managed to grow their fortunes through strategic investments and ventures, solidifying their status among the world’s wealthiest.
Johann Rupert – The Luxury Mogul
Johann Rupert, the chairman of Remgro, leads the list of South African billionaires with a net worth of $11.2 billion. His wealth has grown from $10.3 billion at the start of 2024, thanks to his dominance in the luxury goods industry, particularly through brands like Cartier and Montblanc. Rupert’s diversified investment portfolio and leadership in companies such as Reinet further contribute to his increasing fortune.
Nicky Oppenheimer – Diamond Legacy Continues
Nicky Oppenheimer, heir to the De Beers diamond fortune, holds a net worth of $9.5 billion, up from $8.3 billion earlier in 2024. His family sold a 40% stake in De Beers to Anglo-American for $5.1 billion in 2012, and his wealth continues to rise through strategic asset management.
Koos Bekker – Internet Investment Visionary
Koos Bekker, former CEO and current chairman of Naspers, sits at number 1,214 on the Forbes list with a net worth of $2.8 billion. His early investment in Tencent Holdings in 2001 helped Naspers build a dominant position in global internet ventures. Bekker’s wealth reflects his keen eye for high-growth tech investments.
Patrice Motsepe – Mining to Football Leadership
Patrice Motsepe, founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, has grown his wealth to $2.7 billion, up from $2.4 billion at the start of 2024. Motsepe became the first black African billionaire to feature on Forbes’ list in 2008 and has expanded his empire into sectors like private equity and sports, including his role as CAF president.
Michiel le Roux – Founder of Capitec Bank
Michiel le Roux, founder of Capitec Bank, has seen his net worth rise to $1.6 billion, an increase from $1.1 billion at the start of the year. Le Roux’s banking innovations have made him a key figure in South Africa’s financial sector, and his entrepreneurial journey reflects the country’s growing financial independence.
Christo Wiese – Retail Empire Builder
Christo Wiese, once part of South Africa’s retail boom with Pepkor, now holds a net worth of $1.6 billion. After recovering from the Steinhoff crisis, Wiese has regained his billionaire status, driven by his retail investments and diversification strategies across Africa.
The Forbes Real-Time Billionaires list for 2024 showcases South Africa’s resilience in wealth creation, with business leaders making strategic moves to grow their fortunes. These individuals continue to be a driving force in various sectors, from luxury goods and mining to banking and retail, contributing to South Africa’s position on the global economic stage.
Also read: Top 10 Richest Women in South Africa: Leading the Way in 2024
