Johann Rupert becomes richest person in Africa, knocking Dangote off top spot

South African businessman Johann Rupert is now the wealthiest person in all of Africa. Last week, Forbes Magazine made the announcement after Rupert’s net worth rose to $12 billion (about R218 billion).

The mogul now sits above Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote who previously held the title of Richest Person in Africa for 12 consecutive years.

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JOHANN RUPERT BEATS DANGOTE TO BECOME RICHEST PERSON IN AFRICA

Johann Rupert — the chairman of luxury goods company Compagnie Financiere Richemont — has one more thing to smile about.

This after Forbes Magazine named him as ‘Africa’s Richest Person’.

The wealthy businessman has officially knocked Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote — whose net worth reportedly sits at $10.8 billion (roughly R197 billion) — off the throne.

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Rupert’s net worth grew by a whopping R40 billion in 2023 following a rise in Richemont’s share price. He is now the 145th wealthiest person in the world while Dangote sits at 170 on the list.

While a major source of his income comes from Richemont, he also has investments in Stellenbosch-based investment holding company Remgro and Luxembourg-based Reinet Investments.

The 73-year-old was born into a successful family and is the son of Anton Rupert — the founder of a tobacco company called Rembrandt Group.

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MZANSI IS BUZZING

Rupert’s new title hasn’t left everyone smiling. Many Twitter users appear to be truly concerned about the source of his wealth and whether or not corrupt politicians have anything to do with it.

“Ramaphosa looking after his masters so well.. Ask yourself why they hated president Zuma so much,” one particularly agitated app user wrote.

Others, however, appear to have nothing but well wishes for him and admire his business decisions.

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