Cape Town's Richest: A Look at South Africa's Billionaires
The Hurun Report has released its annual list of the world's richest people, and this year's edition includes five billionaires from South Africa.
The Hurun Report has released its annual list of the world’s richest people, and this year’s edition includes five billionaires from South Africa.
Global Billionaire Tally
With 3,112 billionaires worldwide, the current tally is down 8% from last year, with 269 billionaires lost over the past 12 months. As usual, China tops the list with 969 billionaires, followed by the United States with 691, India with 187, and Germany with 144.
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South Africa’s Billionaires
South Africa is home to five billionaires who have made the cut. Johann Rupert, South Africa’s richest man, has seen his wealth soar to $11 billion in 2023, which ranks him 187th on the list of the world’s wealthiest people. The second richest man in South Africa, Nicky Oppenheimer, also saw his fortunes rise, jumping from $8.1 billion in 2022 to $8.3 billion in 2023. Koos Bekker, the third richest man in South Africa, has a net worth of $2.7 billion in 2023, while Patrice Motsepe, who is President Cyril Ramaphosa’s brother-in-law, is reported to have a fortune of $2 billion. Finally, Capitec founder Michiel le Roux rounds off the list of South African billionaires with a reported net worth of $1.3 billion.
Wealth and Happiness
While it is always interesting to see which billionaires have made a list, it is important to remember that wealth does not necessarily equate to happiness or fulfillment. However, these individuals’ success stories can serve as inspiration to those who are striving to achieve their own goals.
Cape Town’s Business Hub
As a leading business hub, Cape Town is home to many successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople. With its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture, it is no surprise that South Africa’s billionaires have chosen to make this city their home.
Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.
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