Forbes released its latest list of the world’s billionaires on Tuesday, April 6 and South Africa is home to five of them.

The statistics show an interesting development, considering the world faced a devastating pandemic in 2020. “The number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list of the world’s wealthiest exploded to an unprecedented 2,755- [that is] 660 more than a year ago. Of those, a record high 493 were new to the list–roughly one every 17 hours,” Forbes states.

Here are South Africa’s wealthiest, and what they do to bring home the bacon.

5. Michiel Le Roux

Coming in at number 2,197 on Forbes’ list, Le Roux is the founder of Capitec Bank. He has since retired, but still serves on the board of directors.

4. Koos Bekker

At number 1,016 on the Forbes list, Bekker chairs the Naspers and Prosus groups.

3. Patrice Motsepe 

Motsepe is number 1,000 on the list. He owns Mamelodi Sundowns and founded the mining company African Rainbow Minerals, as well as African Rainbow Capital Investments.

2. Johann Rupert

Number 334 on the Forbes list is Johann Rupert. He founded the Swiss luxury goods holding company, Richemont, and is the chair of Remgro.

1. Nicky Oppenheimer

The richest person in South Africa, Nicky Oppenheimer is number 302 on Forbers’ list. He is the former chairman of De Beers diamond mining and deputy chairman of Anglo American mining.

Picture: Twitter/VegaUnleashed

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