Oh, how glorious it must be to rank among the rich and famous.

It’s nice to dream above our means and all, but the cream of South Africa’s business crop are probably feeling like this 24/7, 365 days a year (barring one or two scandals).

Thanks to their money-making activities, explains BusinessTech, these 10 business executives have landed themselves top honours on the City Press‘s inaugural Wealth Index report, which compiled info from company documents on disclosed remuneration, including bonuses and severance packages.

In other words, they weren’t being paid mere crumbs like us poor plebs.

Let’s break down the top 10 execs who’ve got it made, with the value representing the total value of their investments.

1. Ivan Glasenberg – R71,7 billion

Top spot was awarded to Ivan Glasenberg because of his 8,3% stake in Glencore – the global mining and commodities group he co-founded. It estimated that in June, Glasenberg’s shares in Glencore were worth R84 billion, however they had fallen to as low as R66 billion in July.

2. Christo Wiese – R32,7 billion

Ag, this guy.

Despite the nightmare year he’s going through, including being implicated in a tax-dodging scheme, Wiese is still doing pretty well for himself.

3. Patrice Motsepe – R22,7 billion

Yep, Cyril Ramaphosa’s brother-in-law is doing just fine heading Sanlam and African Rainbow Minerals by himself, thanks for asking.

4. Laurie Diepenaar – R15,7 billion

5. Ivan Saltzman – R15,6 billion

Toughies for Saltzman, who’s a top brass at Dischem. Still, at least he’s cracked the top five.

That, and if his salary goes any higher, Dischem’s prices might take a huge knock.

6. Stephen Saad – R14,3 billion

7. Koos Bekker – R13,5 billion

Naspers businessman and hotelier Koos Bekker has money to burn. There’s no question what kind of stuff he spends all that dough on …

8. Johan Rupert – R13,2 billion

He’s got his hands full with Reinet Investments.

9. John Whittaker – R12,8 billion

Okay, the oke‘s is a Brit through and through, but his activities with Intu Properties in South Africa has earned him this spot.

10. Michiel Le Roux – R11,5 billion

Capitec Bank Holding’s Le Roux is making a killing out here, even breaking the US billion dollar mark last year.

There you go, friends – these old, mostly white gents (no ladies, more’s the pity) are living the life that you and I can only dream about.

[source:businesstech]