According to Forbes’ real-time tracking of billionaires, Johann Rupert and family are the wealthiest in South Africa.
According to Forbes’ real-time tracking of billionaires, Johann Rupert and family are the richest in South Africa, with a net worth of $9.9 billion.
The Ruperts are followed by diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer who has a net worth of $8.3 billion.
Naspers chairperson Koos Bekker is in third spot with $2.4 billion, while mining magnate Patrice Motsepe ranks fourth with $2.3 billion.
Capitec founder Michiel le Roux is fifth with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
There are several other billionaires who were born and spent their early years in Mzansi that are not included in Forbes’ sub-category of South Africa billionaires.
Most notably – of course – is Pretoria-born Elon Musk who currently holds the title of richest man in the world with a reported $246.2 billion.
Ivan Glasenberg, who currently resides in Switzerland, boasts a net worth of $8.7 billion.
Nathan Kirsh, who now lives in Eswatini, also makes the list with his $5.7 billion fortune.
Cayman Islands-based media mogul Clive Calder also grew up in South Africa and currently has a net worth of $5.7 billion.
Finally, Patrick Soon-Shiong, who invented the cancer-fighting drug Abraxane, also has a net worth of $5.4 billion.
| Name | Country of residence | Net worth |
| Elon Musk | USA | $246.2 billion |
| Johann Rupert | South Africa | $9.9 billion |
| Ivan Glasenberg | Switzerland | $8.7 billion |
| Nicky Oppenheimer | South Africa | $8.3 billion |
| Nathan Kirsh | Eswatini | $5.7 billion |
| Clive Calder | Cayman Islands | $5.7 billion |
| Patrick Soon-Shiong | USA | $5.4 billion |
| Koos Bekker | South Africa | $2.4 billion |
| Patrice Motsepe | South Africa | $2.3 billion |
| Michiel le Roux | South Africa | $1.1 billion |
NOTE: Names in bold denote South Africans
NOTE 1: All numbers rounded off
NOTE 2: All numbers are correct as of 11 December 2023
