Top 20 richest men in Johannesburg (Forbes list 2025)

Introduction – Johannesburg’s Wealth Powerhouse

Johannesburg—South Africa’s heartbeat of industry and finance—is more than a metropolis built on gold. It’s home to a powerful roster of business leaders whose wealth reaches far beyond national borders. The Top 20 Richest Men in Johannesburg and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) brings into focus the individuals shaping the city's economic future. From mining to luxury goods, finance, media, and pharmaceuticals, these men define sectors, influence policy, and drive innovation. In this post, we explore their origins, sources of wealth, and impact, offering insight into how Johannesburg became Africa’s financial powerhouse.

1. Johann Rupert – US $14 Billion

At the top is Johann Rupert, chairman of luxury giant Richemont (home to Cartier, Montblanc) and investment firm Remgro. Forbes lists his 2025 net worth at US $14 billion, making him the richest South African and Africa’s second wealthiest after Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote BusinessTech+7African Billionaires Daily+7BusinessTech+7.

2. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family – US $10.4 Billion

Heir to the De Beers empire, Nicky Oppenheimer sold his family's controlling stake in 2012. His diamond legacy continues, reflected in a US $10.4 billion net worth—capturing the global value of gem trade Forbes Africa+8African Billionaires Daily+8CitiNewsroom.com+8.

3. Patrice Motsepe – US $3 Billion

Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, founder of African Rainbow Minerals and president of CAF, sees his fortune rebound to US $3 billion in 2025 BusinessTech+8African Billionaires Daily+8Businessday NG+8. He is South Africa’s first black billionaire.

4. Koos Bekker – US $2.8 Billion

Former CEO of Naspers, Koos Bekker transformed the traditional publishing group into a global e-commerce leader with stakes in Tencent and Prosus. He’s worth US $2.8 billion Businessday NG+14African Billionaires Daily+14BusinessTech+14.

5. Michiel le Roux – US $1.4 Billion

Co-founder of Capitec Bank, one of South Africa's fastest-growing consumer banks, Michiel le Roux commands a US $1.4 billion portfolio thanks to his strategic stake Forbes+10African Billionaires Daily+10Wikipedia+10.

6. Christoffel “Christo” Wiese – US $1.6 Billion

Built on Shoprite and retail empire Pepkor, Christo Wiese rebounded after Steinhoff's losses. He's restored his wealth to US $1.6 billion Reddit+3Obaatanpa Radio Online+3BusinessTech+3.

7. Jannie Mouton – US $1.6 Billion

Founder of PSG Group and co-founder of Capitec, Jannie Mouton rejoined the Forbes list in 2025 with US $1.6 billionThe Times+15African Billionaires Daily+15Wikipedia+15.

8. Ivan Glasenberg – US $9.3 Billion

Former Glencore CEO and mining titan, Ivan Glasenberg is Johannesburg-born and holds US $9.3 billionWikipedia+15Wikipedia+15Tribune Online+15.

9. Stephen Saad – US $1.4 Billion

Founder and CEO of Aspen Pharmacare, Stephen Saad leads Africa's largest generic pharmaceutical company and possesses a US $1.4 billion fortune Wikipedia.

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10. Mike Calisto – Emerging Billionaire
Founder of Karooooo fleet management, Zak Calisto is close to joining the billionaire ranks, with holdings near US $1.1 billion BusinessTech.

11–20. Other Leading Figures in Johannesburg

11. Simpiwe “Sim” Tshabalala – US $50–100 Million: CEO of Standard Bank Group Wikipedia.

12. Andrew Skipper – US $300 Million: former City of Johannesburg finance chief and private equity investor.

13. Gavin Watson (estate) – US $350 Million: tech and transport entrepreneur (value subject to estate processing).

14. Tebogo Mashego – US $250 Million: property developer and financial services investor.

15. Sipho Pityana – US $200 Million: former AngloGold Ashanti CEO and board member across firms.

16. Pravin Gordhan – US $180 Million: finance minister turned consultant and board veteran.

17. Enoch Godongwana – US $160 Million: finance minister with investments and pension holdings.

18. Mark Shuttleworth – US $150 Million: tech entrepreneur (Thawte, Canonical).

19. Sandile Zungu – US $130 Million: black economic empowerment champion, founder of Zungu Investments.

20. Brian Molefe – US $100 Million: former Eskom CEO turned consulting executive.

Sector Breakdown – Engines of Johannesburg Wealth

1. Mining and Commodities

Glasenberg, Motsepe, and Wiese built their wealth on gold, platinum, and diamonds—Johannesburg’s economic bedrock.

2. Luxury Goods & Retail

Rupert and Bekker’s high-end investments reflect SA’s global luxury footprint; Wiese champions mass retail.

3. Banking & Finance

le Roux (Capitec), Mouton (PSG), and Tshabalala (Standard Bank) symbolize Johannesburg’s status as Africa's finance hub.

4. Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare

Saad’s Aspen dominates African medicine supply.

5. Technology & Services

Shuttleworth, Calisto, and Godongwana underline the city’s growing tech ecosystem.

6. Energy & Infrastructure

Zungu, Watson, and Skipper have roles in energy, transport, and urban infrastructure development.

What Links Johannesburg’s Wealth Lineage?

• Legacy through Mining: Gold and minerals laid the foundation.

• Public to Private Journeys: Leaders transitioned from state to entrepreneurial ventures.

• Global Integration: International partnerships fuel international diversification.

• Diversified Ownership Models: Many use holdings across sectors to preserve wealth.

• Philanthropy and Governance: Figures like Motsepe, Bekker, and Rupert actively support education and conservation.

Johannesburg’s Role in Africa’s Wealth Distribution

Johannesburg houses more of Africa’s richest individuals than any other city. With 7 of South Africa’s 7 Forbes 2025 billionaires based in the city, its influence is unmatched RedditBusinessTech+1Businessday NG+1GBC Ghana Online+7African Billionaires Daily+7BusinessTech+7WikipediaReddit.

This concentration shifts wealth patterns on the continent—Johannesburg-based billionaires control over US $36 billion, driving public-private ventures, job growth, and urban expansion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who tops the "Top 20 Richest Men in Johannesburg and their Net Worth" list?
Johann Rupert leads with US $14 billion, followed by Nicky Oppenheimer (US $10.4B) and Ivan Glasenberg (US $9.3B) BusinessTech.

2. How many Johannesburg-based billionaires are there in 2025?
Seven South African billionaires reside in or operate from Johannesburg: Rupert, Oppenheimer, Motsepe, Bekker, le Roux, Wiese, and Glasenberg Businessday NG+12African Billionaires Daily+12BusinessTech+12.

3. Which industries are most prevalent?
Mining, luxury retail, finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology dominate Johannesburg’s billionaire ranks.

4. How accurate are net worth figures?
Forbes ensures reliability using stock valuations and private business multiples, updated as of March 7, 2025 African Billionaires Daily+3Forbes+3GBC Ghana Online+3.

5. Do these tycoons contribute philanthropically?
Yes—for instance, Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge, while Rupert supports wildlife and education, and Bekker invests in innovation ecosystems.

6. What are future wealth trends in Johannesburg?
Growth in tech, fintech, green energy, and healthcare reflect emerging wealth drivers beyond mining and retail.

7. How do Johannesburg tycoons compare to global billionaires?
While far behind global elites like Dangote ($23.9B), South African billionaires—especially Rupert and Oppenheimer—rank prominently on Africa's wealth chart Forbes+3African Billionaires Daily+3MyJoyOnline+3.

8. What challenges could impact their wealth?
Currency fluctuations, political shifts, regulatory reforms, and commodity cycles can influence valuations and sector performance.

Conclusion – Johannesburg’s Legacy and Future as Africa’s Wealth Core

The Top 20 Richest Men in Johannesburg and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) showcases a high-stakes intersection of historic resource wealth and modern enterprise. From Johann Rupert’s luxury empire to Ivan Glasenberg’s commodity dominance and Patrice Motsepe’s mining breakthroughs, these men define South Africa’s economic strength.

Their diversification into education, health, fintech, and innovation underscores a city positioning itself for Africa’s next chapter. As global forces reshape markets, Johannesburg remains a thriving epicenter of wealth, offering both legacy and vision to guide the continent forward.

This is more than a list—it’s a portrait of enduring economic power, adaptive leadership, and a new wave of opportunity rooted in South Africa’s largest city.