15 most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025
The South African economy is one of the most vibrant in Africa. The country hosts many companies in diverse industries. From diamonds to banking, families have built huge fortunes and influence. Below are the most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025, including names like Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Top 15 most powerful and richest families in South Africa
- 15. Cyril Ramaphosa and family
- 14. Adrian Gore and family
- 13. Stephen Bradley Saad and family
- 12. Mark Shuttleworth and family
- 11. Lauritz Dippenaar and family
- 10. Desmond Sacco and family
- 9. Christoffel Wiese and family
- 8. Jannie Mouton and family
- 7. Michiel Le Roux and family
- 6. Koos Bekker and family
- 5. Patrice Motsepe and family
- 4. Clive Calder and family
- 3. Ivan Glasenberg and family
- 2. Nicky Oppenheimer and family
- 1. Johann Rupert and family
- Who are the richest couples in South Africa?
- Which family is the richest in South Africa?
- Who are the richest African families?
- Who is the richest person in South Africa in 2025?
- Who is the richest family in 2025?
- Who is the richest black man in SA?
- Who is the youngest richest man in Africa?
- Who are the 5 billionaires in South Africa?
Key takeaways
- The most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025 include Clive Calder, Koos Bekker, and Ivan Glasenberg.
- Families like Stephen Saad and Christo Wiese expanded wealth through medicine and retail.
- Leaders such as Adrian Gore and Cyril Ramaphosa combine business success with national influence.
Top 15 most powerful and richest families in South Africa
Most powerful families in South Africa own a conglomerate and have diversified their investments in different sectors locally and internationally. Some hold stakes in financial institutions, while others have tapped into the lucrative mining industry.
Determining the wealthiest family in South Africa involved tracking the families' and individuals' net worth, as stated by Forbes and Techpoint Africa.
| Rank | Family | Net worth |
| 1 | Johann Rupert and family | $13.8–$17 billion |
| 2 | Nicky Oppenheimer and family | $9.5–$12.3 billion |
| 3 | Ivan Glasenberg and family | $9.3–$9.8 billion |
| 4 | Clive Calder and family | $5.7–$6.9 billion |
| 5 | Patrice Motsepe and family | $3.2–$3.4 billion |
| 6 | Koos Bekker and family | $2.7–2.9 billion |
| 7 | Michiel Scholtz du Pré le Roux and family | $1.1–$2.2 billion |
| 8 | Jannie Mouton and family | $1.6–$1.85 billion |
| 9 | Christoffel Wiese and family | $1.2–$1.7 billion |
| 10 | Desmond Sacco and family | Approximately $1.1 billion |
| 11 | Laurie Dippenaar and family | Approximately $610 million |
| 12 | Mark Shuttleworth and family | $500 million |
| 13 | Stephen Saad and family | $500 million-$1.4 billion |
| 14 | Adrian Gore and family | $480 million |
| 15 | Cyril Ramaphosa and family | Approximately $450 million |
Here is a look at the wealthiest and most powerful families in South Africa. Their rankings change over time, depending on their business moves.
15. Cyril Ramaphosa and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: Approximately $450 million
- Company: Shanduka Group
- Industry: Investments, Mining, Energy
Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president since 2018, also leads Shanduka Group, with interests in mining, energy, and finance. In 2025, the company advanced a rural renewable energy project. Balancing politics and business, Ramaphosa focuses on inclusive growth, empowerment, and sustainable development for South Africa’s future.
14. Adrian Gore and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $480 million
- Company: Discovery Holdings
- Industry: Financial services
Adrian Gore, founder of Discovery Holdings, built one of South Africa’s top medical insurance firms. Listed on the JSE, it operates in the UK and the US. With his 8% stake, he remains influential in business, placing him among the top 10 richest men in Africa in 2025.
13. Stephen Bradley Saad and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $500 million - $1.4 billion (fluctuates with stock market valuations)
- Company: Aspen Pharmacare
- Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Stephen Bradley Saad, founder and CEO of Aspen Pharmacare, built Africa’s largest generic medicine company. He owns a Sharks rugby club and a private game reserve. Aspen trades on the JSE and sells worldwide. Saad’s success secures his place among the top 50 richest people in Africa.
12. Mark Shuttleworth and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $500 million
- Company: Canonical Ltd.
- Industry: Technology, Open Source Software
Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical Ltd., created Ubuntu, a leading open-source operating system. He became the first African space tourist in 2002. In 2025, Canonical launched Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, boosting AI and edge computing. Shuttleworth remains a key tech innovator, promoting open-source, digital inclusion, and global collaboration.
11. Lauritz Dippenaar and family
Source: Facebook
- Net worth: Approximately $610 million
- Company: FirstRand
- Industry: Financial services
Lauritz Dippenaar is a South African millionaire businessman, banker, and investor. He was the chairman of FirstRand Financial Group and is also well known for his philanthropic works.
He co-founded Rand Consolidated Investing in 1977 alongside Paul Harris, and in the 1990s, he founded FirstRand. Currently, he is a non-executive chairman of FirstRand, whose focus is on banking and insurance.
10. Desmond Sacco and family
Source: Facebook
- Net worth: Approximately $1.1 billion
- Company: Assore Group, Assmang Limited
- Industry: Mining (Iron Ore, Manganese, Chrome)
Desmond Sacco, born in Johannesburg in 1940, is a billionaire businessman and geologist. He leads the Assore Group, founded by his father, and holds a major stake in Assmang Limited. Under his leadership, the company thrived in iron ore, manganese, and chrome. He is also known for his mineral collection.
9. Christoffel Wiese and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $1.2–$1.7 billion
- Company: Shoprite and Collins Property Group
- Industry: Retail
Christo Wiese built his fortune in consumer retail, with Shoprite ranked among South Africa’s top brands. He also owns Lourensford wine estate and a private Kalahari game reserve. His vast business interests and assets secure his place among the top 20 richest men in Africa.
8. Jannie Mouton and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $1.6–$1.85 billion
- Company: PSG Group
- Industry: Financial services
Jannie Mouton, known as the “Buddha Buffett,” founded PSG Group, an investment holding firm with interests in banking, farming, and education. His sons also serve on the board. Though not the richest man in the world, his influence in South Africa’s business world remains strong.
7. Michiel Le Roux and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $1.1–$2.2 billion
- Company: Capitec Bank
- Industry: Banking
Michiel Le Roux built his fortune in the banking industry. He founded Capitec Bank in 2001, now a leading lender on the JSE. The bank serves South Africa’s growing middle class. His success places the Le Roux family among the most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025, on the top 10 list.
6. Koos Bekker and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $13.8–$17 billion
- Company: Naspers
- Industry: Media and publishing
The Bekker family is well known in media and publishing. Koos Bekker built wealth through stakes in Naspers, Prosus, and Tencent. His role in founding MultiChoice and M-Net cemented his influence. The Bekkers hold a strong place in the most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025 list.
5. Patrice Motsepe and family
Source: UGC
- Net worth: $2.7–2.9 billion
- Company: African Rainbow Minerals
- Industry: Mining, financial services, sports
Patrice Motsepe is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals. His company mines gold, platinum, and base metals. He also chairs Harmony Gold and is deputy chairman of Sanlam. As owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, his success places him among the top 100 richest people in Africa.
4. Clive Calder and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $5.7–$6.9 billion
- Company: Zomba Group, Jive Records
- Industry: Music Industry
Clive Calder, born in Johannesburg, built his fortune in music. He co-founded Zomba Group and Jive Records, signing stars like Britney Spears and NSYNC. In 2002, he sold Zomba for $2.74 billion. Now based in the Cayman Islands, he invests, gives to charity, and remains a legendary African music mogul.
3. Ivan Glasenberg and family
Source: UGC
- Net worth: $9.3–$9.8billion
- Company: Glencore
- Industry: Mining
Ivan Glasenberg was former chief executive officer of Glencore, one of the commodity trading and mining companies. He was the company's CEO from 2002 to 2021. Ivan used his own divided to buy more than 15% of Glencore's stock, placing him as among the richest mining billionaire.
2. Nicky Oppenheimer and family
Source: UGC
- Net worth: $9.5–$12.3 billion
- Company: DeBeers
- Industry: Diamond Mining
Nicky Oppenheimer, former De Beers chairman, comes from a family long tied to diamond mining companies. The Oppenheimers shaped the diamond trade for over 85 years. Today, they also run Fireblade Aviation and hold vast conservation land. Their legacy secures a place in the most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025, according to Forbes.
1. Johann Rupert and family
Source: Getty Images
- Net worth: $13.8–$17 billion
- Company: Compagnie Financiere Richemont, Rembrandt, Remgro
- Industry: Watches, mining, and financial services
The Rupert family is the wealthiest in South Africa. Anton Rupert built a fortune through Rembrandt, later expanding into luxury goods. Johann Rupert now leads Richemont and Remgro, with global stakes in finance, mining, and luxury brands like Cartier. He is the richest man in South Africa.
Who are the richest couples in South Africa?
Patrice Motsepe and Precious Moloi-Motsepe are widely regarded as the richest South African couple. They are valued at about $3.2–$3.4 billion and are actively involved in the mining business.
Which family is the richest in South Africa?
The Rupert family holds the title of the wealthiest and most influential family in South Africa, boasting business interests on both domestic and global fronts. Presently, their net worth is estimated to stand at $13.8–$17 billion.
Who are the richest African families?
Africa's wealthiest families comprise the Dangotes, whose net worth amounts to $13.9 billion, the Ruperts with a net worth of about $13.8–$17 billion, and the Oppenheimers, whose wealth is estimated at $9.5–$12.3 billion.
Who is the richest person in South Africa in 2025?
Johann Rupert is the wealthiest person in South Africa, with a net worth estimated between $13.8 and $17 billion. He is also ranked as the second richest in Africa.
Who is the richest family in 2025?
The Walton family, heirs to the Walmart empire, hold the title of the richest family in 2025. Their fortune comes from retail, with Walmart remaining the largest retailer in the world.
Who is the richest black man in SA?
The richest Black man in South Africa is Patrice Motsepe, founder of African Rainbow Minerals. His wealth comes from mining gold, platinum, and base metals. He also chairs Harmony Gold, is deputy chairman of Sanlam, and owns Mamelodi Sundowns football club.
Who is the youngest richest man in Africa?
The title of Africa’s youngest billionaire currently goes to Mohammed Dewji of Tanzania. At age 49, the MeTL Group owner holds that distinction, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings.
Who are the 5 billionaires in South Africa?
The top billionaires in South Africa are Johann Rupert and family ($13.8–$17 billion), Nicky Oppenheimer and family ($9.5–$12.3 billion), Ivan Glasenberg ($9.3–$9.8 billion), Clive Calder ($5.7–$6.9 billion), and Patrice Motsepe ($3.2–$3.4 billion).
The most powerful and richest families in South Africa in 2025 play a key role in the nation’s economy. Their wealth spans mining, retail, finance, and technology. From Ivan Glasenberg to Desmond Sacco, these families continue to shape industries and strengthen South Africa’s global influence.
Briefly.co.za recently published an article about the richest countries in Africa by GDP. Africa is a powerhouse of resources and innovation. With 54 countries on the continent, much growth and development have been witnessed in recent years.
Some countries have risen above their expected growth rate performance, while others have struggled. Which are the richest African countries, and what are their GDPs?
Source: Briefly News
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Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
