The 10 Richest Women in South Africa

In South Africa, we have many amazing women that have achieved so many great things like wealth, awards, prestige, etc. South Africa is the rainbow nation having a mixture of people with a busy economy. Many successful women live in South Africa and these women broke barriers, made big money, and impacted their country positively. 

On the other hand, these women faced so many challenges and became leaders in money and influence. So, today, I will share with you some of the richest women in South Africa. I will also talk about how they got to the top through businesses and careers. from nothing and growing their families.

Their stories inspire people and also show women’s strength, this also signifies that women are also successful, not just only men. As you follow me in this article, I will also throw more light on their services to humanity. They give back and make real differences in their communities. So let’s get into it. 

The 10 Richest Women in South Africa

Below are the top 10 wealthiest women in south Africa.

1. Precious Moloi-Motsepe Net Worth – $1.5 billion 

Precious was born in a place called Soweto, in South Africa in 1962. She began working as a croaker, helping  kiddies and women. In 2007, Precious started a business called African Fashion International( AFI). This business makes African fashion women to be known globally. Precious wants to show African gifts to give youthful people and women more chances.   Precious likes to help people, not just in fashion. 

In 2013, she and her hubby Patrice Motsepe promised to give half their family’s  plutocrat to help others. They  concentrate on education, healthcare, and making sure women have  further chances. Precious is a leader in  numerous areas. In 2019, she became the University of Cape Town’s Chancellor. She helps with important choices for the university. 

She also goes to big meetings like the World Economic Forum in Davos to  bandy about important effects.   Precious and her hubby are the richest black couple in South Africa. They’ve about $3 billion together. Their success shows that hard work and kindness can make a real difference.

2. Wendy Appelbaum Net Worth – $250 million 

Wendy Donna Appelbaum was born in 1961 to Donald Gordon, who founded Liberty Group, and Peggy Gordon. She liked playing games and sports like scrabble and tennis. She studied psychology at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). Wendy helped start a company called Wiphold with ten other women.

She owns and leads De Morgenzon Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Their first wine, a 2005 Chenin Blanc, got five stars in South Africa’s top wine guide. Wendy is a director of the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (Pty) Limited, a hospital linked with the University of the Witwatersrand.

Wendy Appelbaum is thought to have a net worth of about R2.6 billion, which is about $250 million. Wendy is one of Africa’s active givers, giving over US$23 million. She set up the Wendy Appelbaum Institute for Women’s Health. She is part of the Global Philanthropists’ Circle, the International Women’s Forum, and Women Moving Millions.

She is a trustee of The Donald Gordon Foundation.

3. Wendy Ackerman Net Worth – $187 million 

Meet Wendy Ackerman, a strong and amazing woman, also one of  the richest women in South Africa. Wendy has made a big impact on South Africa’s business world. Her story is like an exciting book, full of passion, hard work, and a touch of luck.

In the 1960s, Wendy started teaching at the English Academy in Soweto. She loved teaching and inspired her students. Later, Wendy joined her husband, Raymond Ackerman, in building the Pick ‘n Pay Stores business. She had great ideas and he was smart in business. Pick ‘n Pay grew big and successful, with a turnover of 37 billion Rand. They faced tough times, but also had great wins that made them stronger.

Even with her busy business life, Wendy cared about helping others. She started projects like the Ackerman Family Educational Trust and the Pick ‘n Pay Bursary Fund, helping employees and their families get education. She truly believed that education can change lives. In 2000, Wendy was named Businesswoman of the Year for her work in transforming Johnnic Holdings.

She helped grow the business and also gave hope to many poor South Africans. Wendy’s story is not just about business success. It’s about passion, strength, and kindness. She’s a real inspiration, proving that with hard work and care, anything can happen.

4. Irene Charnley Net Worth – $148 million

Irene Charnley is an amazing woman from South Africa. She went from being in a worker group to a big business person. She was born on May 6, 1960. She started her work negotiating for the National Union of Mineworkers. Then, she joined the MTN Group as a top boss. Irene linked nations like Nigeria and Iran to the MTN network.

She aims to help others. She made the National Empowerment Consortium to help black business owners and workers get a part of Johnnic Holdings. When Irene left MTN, she was thought to be worth US$148 million. Now, Irene leads Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd, a telecom group in Africa. 

5. Johanna Mukoki Net Worth – $85 million

Here we have Johanna who is also one the richest women in South Africa. She was born in Soweto, South Africa, and went to Rhodes Uni. She studied Maths and Money Stuff. She’s not just a great biz gal; she’s also a good role model for many people. Johanna grew up with a mom who had small shops because money was hard.

She learned lots about business from her mom. In 1996, Johanna and two pals began Travel with Flair (TWF), a travel biz. TWF helps people with all sorts of travel, like trips, work trips, and even film trips. They have spots in South Africa. She talks about living your best life and hitting your aims. She’s been on the box and in mags sharing her thoughts.

Johanna also does big work in biz lead. She’s the first African on the Board of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). This is a big deal and lifts up other South African gals.

6. Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe Net Worth – $80 million 

Bridgette was born in 1960. She’s Tshepo Motsepe’s sister, who’s wed to South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa. Bridgette is married to Jeff Radebe, a former ANC Minister. In the 1980s, she started in the mining industry, working in South Africa and dealing with materials for big mines.

But she didn’t stop at mining. She made Mmakau Mining, a company that focuses on platinum, gold, and chrome mining. It’s now one of Africa’s top mining firms, and she’s seen as a leader in the deep-level-hard rock mining. Bridgette also works to make mining better for the environment and local communities.

She’s the President of the South African Mining Development Association and pushes for ways to fix the problems, like nationalization and state buyouts. Her work got her noticed, and in 2008, she got the “International Businessperson of the Year Award” from the Global Foundation for Democracy for her big impact on the changing political and environmental situations.

Also, Bridgette helped with Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock’s wedding in 2011. This made her famous worldwide. In 2019, Bridgette made history by joining the BRICS Business Council. She’s the first black woman in South Africa to own a mine and be part of this council. It shows her strong will and talent. 

She talks about how to grow the economy in a good way. She also cares a lot about doing good things for people. She is a role model for people who want to run their own businesses and make a positive change in the world.

7. Shamim Wuwongse Net Worth – $75 million 

Shamim Wuwongse is one of South Africa’s rich women, with about $75 million. She’s very rich. She probably invested a lot or had big jobs in different businesses. She is a great business person, an investor, or a boss. Her money shows she’s very good at business in South Africa.

 8.  Christina Viljoen Net Worth – $70 million 

Christina Viljoen is famous in South Africa for having a lot of money, about $70 million.  Her big money makes her one of the richest women in South Africa. She used a lot of money to do many businesses and money-making activities. These may have helped her become rich.

She is into business and has gotten so much money, but she seems to have worked hard to gather many things of value for a long time. She has helped so many people financially, especially the less privileged. 

9. Sharon Wapnick Net Worth – $37 million 

Sharon Wapnick is Alec Wapnick’s child. The father started Octodec Investments and Premium Properties, two big Real Estate Investment Trust groups. Sharon has a big share in Octodec, and helps guide its path. As well as her real estate work, Sharon is a partner at TWB Attorneys, a law firm in Johannesburg.

Her law skills and business sense have helped her make money and have power. Sharon’s work in real estate has made her rich. She still leads and grows her family’s real estate plans. But Sharon is not just about work. She gives a lot to aid groups and wants to help her town. She’s not always in the news, but she cares and wants to help people. In her job, Sharon is on lots of boards.

She’s the boss at Investments Ltd. She’s also with other top firms like Transaction Capital Ltd., City Investments Ltd. Being in these roles shows her big role in the work world and her push for growth and wins.

10. Elizabeth Bradley Net Worth – $30 million

Elizabeth Bradley is famous for helping people and being good at business. Although she may not have as much money as others, she has made a big difference in society. She started a group that helps with education, healthcare, and making communities better. Because of her work for good causes, people in South Africa really look up to her.

Who are the 10 Richest Females

The richest females are listed below with their net worths:

1. Precious Moloi-Motsepe ($1.5 billion) 

2. Wendy Appelbaum:$250 million

3. Wendy Ackerman ($187 million) 

4. Irene Charnley ($148 Million) 

5. Johanna Mukoki ($85 million) 

6. Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe ($80 million) 

7. Wuwongse ($75 million)

8. Christina Viljoen ($70 million) 

9. Sharon Wapnick ($37 million) 

10. Elizabeth Bradley ($30 million) 

Who is the richest black woman in SA

The richest black woman in SA is Precious Moloi-Motsepe. She has lots of money, around $1.5 billion. But she’s not just about money—she helps others too.

From Soweto, Precious is married to Patrice. He’s big in mining, while she has her own success in business and charity. Leading African Fashion International (AFI), Precious shows off African fashion and designers worldwide. She celebrates Africa’s culture and talent.

Beside fashion, Precious does a lot for charity. With her husband, she made the Motsepe Foundation, which helps with education, healthcare, and poverty. They focus on women and youth, helping change lives.

With her money and power, Precious stands for fairness and equality in South Africa. She speaks up for those in need, making her not just rich, but also inspiring.

Richest young woman in South Africa

Khanyi Mbau is the richest young woman from South Africa. She has around $10 million. She took big chances and entered the business world. Now, she is well-known among the country’s rich.

Conclusion 

These richest women in South Africa broke barriers and made lots of money, which impacted positively on their country. Their stories shine bright like diamonds. They show how much one can do with resilience, grit, and confidence. These women also prove that female empowerment and leadership are key for economic growth and progress.

The nicest thing is their commitment to helping others. They give back by supporting education, health, and the social environment of South Africans. These kinds of  women are truly making differences in their communities by helping those in need. 

Their stories of winning through tough times, making use of opportunities and getting on their feet give hope and courage to people from all walks of life to chase their dreams and make good impacts. 

By now, I strongly believe that you are glad and inspired to read about these great women. What is your thought about them? I will be glad to hear from you too. See you soon!

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