South Africa’s 8 richest men worth a staggering R700 billion
South Africa’s eight wealthiest individuals have a combined fortune of approximately $42.1 billion (around R700 billion), according to the latest Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.
The ranking highlights the enormous wealth accumulated by some of the country’s most prominent business figures, whose interests span luxury goods, diamonds, mining, banking, media, financial services and retail.
Johann Rupert leads South Africa’s billionaire rankings
Johann Rupert remains firmly at the top of the list, with an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion.
Rupert’s fortune is largely linked to his stake in Swiss luxury goods giant Richemont, the group behind some of the world’s best-known luxury brands.
He is followed by diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer, whose estimated wealth stands at $10.6 billion. His fortune is rooted in the diamond industry and the Oppenheimer family’s historic association with De Beers.
Combined, Rupert and Oppenheimer hold an estimated $26.1 billion – more than 60% of the total wealth attributed to South Africa’s eight richest individuals.
Who are South Africa’s other billionaires?
Capitec co-founder Michiel Le Roux occupies third place, with an estimated fortune of $3.6 billion.
African Rainbow Minerals founder Patrice Motsepe follows in fourth place with $3.3 billion, while Naspers chairman Koos Bekker rounds out the top five with an estimated $3.2 billion.
The remaining three positions are occupied by established names in South African business.
PSG Group founder Jannie Mouton has an estimated fortune of $2.5 billion, followed by retail entrepreneur Christo Wiese, whose wealth is estimated at $1.8 billion.
Completing the ranking is South African-born entrepreneur Paul van Zuydam, associated with premium cookware brand Le Creuset, with an estimated fortune of $1.6 billion.
Below, the list of the top eight richest South Africans in the world as of 2 November 2026.
| Rank | Name | Net worth ($) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | Johann Rupert | $15.5 billion | Luxury goods |
| 337 | Nicky Oppenheimer | $10.6 billion | Diamonds |
| 1 176 | Michiel Le Roux | $3.6 billion | Banking |
| 1 244 | Patrice Motsepe | $3.3 billion | Mining |
| 1 288 | Koos Bekker | $3.2 billion | Media, investments |
| 1 616 | Jannie Mouton | $2.5 billion | Financial services |
| 2 204 | Christoffel Wiese | $1.8 billion | Retail |
| 2 443 | Paul van Zuydam | $1.6 billion | Le Creuset |
| TOTAL | $42.1 billion |
How far off are YOU from joining this list of South African dollar billionaires?
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