Share

Three SAs in the top 25 of the British 2016 rich list

Three South Africans feature prominently in the UK’s 2016 “Rich List”, published on Sunday by The Times of London.

Nicky Oppenheimer (70), leads the way in 18th on the 1 000-strong table that is led by Mumbai-born brothers David and Simon Reuben (worth £13.1bn or R273.3bn). Oppenheimer lives on an estate near Maidenhead north of London. In 2011, the family sold 40% of diamond group De Beers for £3.2bn (R66.76bn). The Oppenheimers have invested that well, growing the fortune to £4.83bn (R100.8bn) – 14 times what the Queen of England is worth.

Nicky Oppenheimer is three places ahead of another famously rich London-based South African, 84 year old Natie Kirsh. With a fortune of £4.37bn (R91bn), Kirsh shades countryman Christo Wiese (74) whose £4.33bn (R90.3bn) places him 22nd. Wiese is a new addition to the British list, included because of numerous UK investments including recent purchases of fashion chain New Look (for £780m or R16.3bn) and Virgin Active gyms (£682m or R14.3bn).

With Oppenheimer and Wiese now listed among the Brits; the Rupert family fortune lying mainly in Swiss-based Richemont and Naspers chair Koos Bekker’s generated via China’s TenCent, the names mentioned most often as SA’s “white monopoly capital” are quite obviously focusing elsewhere. But don’t expect local politicians to adjust their speeches. They tend not to let facts get in the way of populist stories.

Exchange rate used to convert pounds to rand on Monday = £1/R20.86.

* For more in-depth business news, visit biznews.com or simply sign up for the daily newsletter.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.01
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.16
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.66
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
0.0%
Gold
2,156.08
-0.2%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders