The R715 Billion Club: A Look at South Africa’s Wealthiest in 2026

As 2026 gets underway, South Africa’s elite circle of dollar billionaires has grown, both in number and in combined wealth. The country now counts eight individuals among the global billionaire ranks, with a total net worth of $43.6 billion (approximately R715 billion), according to Forbes’ live tracking.

This marks an expansion from the start of 2025, with two notable names joining the exclusive list: a returning legend and a discreet titan behind a global brand.

The New Entrants

Jannie Mouton, the founder of financial services group PSG, made a grand re-entry. Known for his early backing of giants like Capitec and Curro, Mouton made headlines in 2025 when his foundation struck a R7.2 billion deal to acquire and delist Curro, transforming it into a public benefit organisation focused on expanding affordable education.

The second newcomer is a less public but immensely successful figure: Paul van Zuydam. The 87-year-old is the president and owner of the iconic French cookware brand Le Creuset, which he acquired in 1988 and rebuilt into a global powerhouse generating over $850 million in annual revenue.

The Established Titans

At the summit, Johann Rupert remains unchallenged as South Africa’s richest person, with a fortune of $16.4 billion (R268 billion). His wealth, anchored by luxury conglomerate Richemont, enjoyed a strong 2025, buoyed by a nearly 30% surge in the company’s share price.

He is followed by Nicky Oppenheimer, the only other local billionaire with a fortune in the double-digit billions, derived from astute investments following the sale of the family diamond empire.

Other mainstays include media mogul Koos Bekker, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe (Africa’s first black billionaire), Capitec founder Michiel le Roux, and retail veteran Christo Wiese, who has clawed his way back into the billionaire ranks after the Steinhoff collapse.

A Year of Remarkable Growth

Collectively, South Africa’s billionaires added a staggering $9.2 billion (R150 billion) to their wealth in 2025. The year also briefly welcomed a ninth member Karooooo founder Zac Calistothough a share price dip and a partial sale later reduced his net worth below the billion-dollar threshold.

This snapshot of extreme wealth underscores the significant concentration of capital in the hands of a few, largely built on foundational investments in finance, retail, mining, and luxury goods. As 2026 unfolds, their fortunes will remain a closely watched barometer of both corporate performance and the stark economic divides that define the nation.