Meet South Africa’s Top Richest Women
Money makes the world go round, and the richest woman in the world, the following top 8 exemplify the potential pleasures of raking in the big bucks. They may not be as famous as Oprah Winfrey, but they top Forbes magazine’s list of “The Richest Women In Africa.” Check them out below….
Elizabeth Bradley
South Africa, is the daughter of Albert Wessels, the man who made history by being the first person to bring the Toyota brand to South Africa. Forbes.com reports that in 2008, Wesco Investments, a South African holding company which she controls, sold off its 25% stake in Toyota South-Africa to Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan for US$320 million (R2.1 billion). She walked away with at least US$150 million (R1 billion).
Mamphela Ramphele
Is the former leader of Agang SA, is a medical doctor and a former anti-apartheid activist. She has various directorships at multi-billion rand companies such as Anglo-American, Remgro and Mediclinic. Her net worth is said to be over R55 million.
Irene Chanley
The South African formerly worked as the Executive Director of MTN and FirstRand Bank. She was responsible for MTN’s expansion across regional Africa. She now heads up Smile Telcoms in Mauritius as their CEO. Net worth: R1.6 billion.
Bridgette Radebe
Is the Executive Chairperson of Mmakau Mining (a company she founded), which has some very lucrative assets in platinum, gold, etc. She also serves as president of the South African Mining Development Association. She has a net worth of R1 billion
Sharon Wapnick
Makes this list as she is one of the primary stakeholders in Octodec Investments and Premium Properties. Both these successful companies were founded by her father, Alec Wapnick. Net worth estimated at R433 million.
Wendy Appelbaum
Is the only daughter of former SA billionaire Donald Gordon. After selling off her Liberty Investors stakes, she bought DeMorgenzo wine estate in Stellenbosch. She founded the Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs), and the Donald Gordon Medical Center. Net worth: R2.6 billion.
Pam Golding
Is without a doubt our best known real estate mogul. She founded Pam Golding Properties in 1976, with almost zero capital to her name. Apparently, her 2010 turnover was set at a whopping R11 billion rand.
Wendy Ackerman
Currently owns close to 50% of Pick ‘n Pay – one of South Africa’s largest grocery chains (also operating in Namibia, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Australia). Wendy has an estimated net worth of R1.9 billion.
