How Africa
South African women are fast climbing the country’s wealth ladder. Quite a few South African women have striven to make their own wealth outside of their husbands’ riches. Verily, these women believe wealth is not specialized for men only and this is among the reason why they work persistently probably as businesswomen or by serving in the managerial positions of top companies
Based on our findings of the richest people in South Africa, we have come up with the names of the Top 10 Richest Women in South Africa. And as a notable point, most of these women boast of self-made wealth which is seen as the fruit of their labour.
TOP 10 RICHEST WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA 2018
1. Wendy Appelbaum
- Net Worth: R150 million
Wendy Appelbaum is South Africa’s richest woman and her net worth is currently valued at R2.6 billion. As a renowned businesswoman, she owns DeMorgenzen Wine Estate –the asset she bought with the help of Hylton Appelbaum –her husband. She is believed to have risen into great wealth under the influence of her husband. But above this, she is an active businesswoman with immense monetary contributions. The most notable of her contributions is the R150 million she laid down as a donation for the establishment of Donald Gordon Medical Center and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.
2. Wendy Ackerman
- Net Worth: R1.9 billion
Wendy Ackerman is declared with the net worth of R1.9 billion, making her the second richest South African woman. The best part of her surging wealth is attributed to the Ackerman Family Trust –a family business that accounts for nearly 50% stake of “Pick `n’ Pay’’. Also noteworthy is that “Pick `n’ Pay’’ is one of South Africa’s largest retail outlets. At Pick `n’ Pay Holdings Limited, Wendy Ackerman assumes the role a non-executive director. With vibrant business services, “Pick `n’ Pay’’ now operates in Australia as well as African countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Namibia. Apart from her notable contributions in the business sector, Wendy Ackerman pays great attention to the activities aimed at environmental conservation.
3. Irene Charnley
- Net Worth: R1.5 billion
Irene Charnley first came into limelight by working as a negotiator under South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers. Meanwhile, she served as the coordinator of the sub-units of this sector for 13 years. Also in the past, she assumed the role of Executive Director in a number of giant organizations. Even as of now, Irene Charnley is greatly acclaimed for her diverse roles as the Non-Executive Director of Firstrand Limited, Director of Johnnic Communications Limited and Non-Executive Director of MTN Group. With all this, it is obvious that she deserves a place on this list with the net worth of R1.5 billion.
4. Bridgette Radebe
- Net Worth: R1 billion
Bridgette Radebe is unarguably the richest black woman in South Africa. She is said to have risen from a wealthy family comprising billionaire younger brother –Patrice Motsepe. Based on reports provided by Forbes, Bridgette Radebe is the originator of Mmakau Mining –a subsidiary mining company based in Johannesburg with the possession of major mining properties in platinum, gold, coal and uranium.
Bridgette Radebe stepped her foot in the mining industry in the early 90’s. During that period, she specialized in shaft management alongside procurement and production services for South Africa’s bigger mining companies. Currently, she boasts of her own mining firm with the whopping net worth of R1 billion.
5. Sharon Wapnick
- Net Worth: R433 million
With the net worth of R433 million, Sharon Wapnick is believed to have generated the best part of her sumptuous wealth from Alec Wapnick –a wealthy father. According to the reports obtained from Forbes, Sharon Wapnick forms part of the top 5 biggest stakeholders in the duo of Premium Properties and Octodec Investment. Meanwhile, these two stock companies specialize in property loan services with a presence on Johannesburg Securities Exchange.
6. Elisabeth Bradley
- Net Worth: R332 million
Elisabeth Bradley is a wealthy character with the net worth of R332 million. Besides her wealth, she is held in high esteem for being a child to Albert Wessels –the person who introduced the first set of Toyota vehicles in South Africa.
Elisabeth Bradley currently serves in Toyota SA Limited as the Non-Executive Chairperson. In the past, she served in AngloGold as an Executive Director. With active official roles in the business sector (particularly in the automotive industry), Elisabeth Bradley has made her mark as one of the richest women in South Africa.
7. Judy Dlamini
- Net Worth: R124 million
With the net worth of R124 million, Judy Dlamini is regarded not only as one of the richest South African women but also part of the wealthiest black women in the country. She is greatly recognized for her advice which implies that wealth can be created by establishing a passion and aiming to achieve it. In her belief, wealth can be created only through hard work, focus and ambition. At the moment, she holds reputable positions in the duo of Aspen Pharmacare Limited and Mbekani Investment Holdings Limited. Moreover, she is seen as a good example and strong reason for young women to work hard in the belief that there is no shortcut to the attainment of wealth.
8. Nonhlanhla Mjoli-Mncube
- Net Worth: R94 million
Nonhlanhla’s wealth is self-made and this gives her a dignified position among the richest black women in South African. Her wealth resulted from her commitment and vigorous presence. Nonhlanhla is best known as the originator and chairperson of the Rural Housing Loan Fund and Women for Housing. Her distinguished presence is a portrayal of her achievements and currently, she is declared with the net worth of R94 million.
9. Mamphela Ramphele
- Net Worth: R55 million
Mamphela Ramphele engages in a number of activities but she is best known as a medical doctor and politician. Besides politics and her medical profession, Ramphele bears active presence in the business sector and was previously one of the female activists who fought against the then principle of apartheid in South Africa. With the net worth of R55 million, Ramphele is undoubtedly one of the richest black women in South Africa.
10. Christine Ramon
- Net Worth: R49 million
Christine Ramon is renowned for having played great roles in the management of high-profile companies. Since she was appointed on 1st October 2014, Christine Ramon has been serving two high positions as the Chief Financial Officer as well as the Executive Director of Anglogold Ashanti Limited. In appreciation of her noteworthy managerial positions, Christine Ramon appeared among the World Economic Forum’s nominees for 2007 Young Global Leader. At the moment, she is declared with the net worth of R49 million.
