Three South Africans feature prominently in the UK’s 2016 “Rich List”, published yesterday 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). Oppenheimer lives on an estate near Maidenhead north of London. In 2011, the family sold 40% of diamond group De Beers for £3.2bn. The Oppenheimers have invested that well, growing the fortune to £4.83bn – 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, Kirsh shades countryman Christo Wiese (74) whose £4.33bn 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) and Virgin Active gyms (£682m).
With Oppenheimer and Wiese now listed among the Brits; the Rupert family fortune lying mainly in Swiss-based Richemont and 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.
