Cape Town -
Most of SA’s richest people are living in Cape Town, according to Forbes magazine, after it compiled a list of the Top 10 richest people in SA
.
They include
Jannie Mouton, a stockbroker who founded the PSG financial services group in 1995 (still serving as executive chairman); Gerrit Thomas Ferreira, chairman of financial services company RMB Holdings; Christo Wiese, chairman of Pepkor and controlling shareholder of Shoprite Holdings Limited; Michiel le Roux, founder and chairman of Capitec Bank Limited; and Johann Rupert, chairman and chief executive of luxury goods company Richemont.
In addition, the richest of the rich all have something in common – they graduated from Stellenbosch University.
The university’s Mohamed Shaikh is circumspect about claiming any kudos.
“Although Stellenbosch University cannot take the credit for the success of the business leaders, the university does strive to not only equip its students with a solid academic foundation, but also to instil in its students the necessary leadership skills and responsible citizenship to excel in various levels of society,” he said.
Independent Newspapers spoke with Wiese, SA’s third-richest man, at his offices in Parow.
With an estimated net worth of $2.7 billion (about R22.6bn), the 70-year-old can live anywhere in the world, but chooses Cape Town.
“I think the Western Cape is the most beautiful part of the world, with the most beautiful property in the world,” he says.
He has settled with his family in Clifton, and has never considered moving anywhere else, even though he has property in other regions.
“I enjoy spending time at my wine estate, Lanzerac, or at my game reserve in the Kalahari.”
Wiese believes that SA, and Cape Town, offer “the greatest opportunities”, and that this is where “young entrepreneurs can seek their fortune”.
What does being the third richest man in SA mean to Wiese?
“Nothing. My greatest achievement is my family, my wife and three beautiful children.”
According to the 2012 Forbes statistics, the standings of SA’s richest are:
1. Nicky Oppenheimer – $6.8bn.
2. Johann Rupert – $3.8bn.
3. Christo Wiese, Patrice Motsepe – both $2.7bn.
5. Lauritz Dippenaar – $750 million.
6. Stephen Saad – $640m.
7. Raymond Ackerman – $545m.
8. Gerrit Thomas Ferreira – $460m.
9. Jannie Mouton – $300m.
10.Michiel Le Roux – $290m.
Pretoria News