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It’s a new year, which means there’s a new ranking of South Africa’s wealthiest citizens.

Most of them managed to have their wealth soar to new heights, despite the economic havoc caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while others lost a little.

So who’s at the top this time?

Forbes’ real-time billionaire’s ranker showed that the man behind luxury goods group Richemont had his wealth grow in the second half of the year.

That’s Johann Rupert for you.

BusinessTech reported that Richemont was the single biggest driver for the South African scale this year in terms of index points:

The Johannesburg shares of the luxury retailer climbed by a record 84% as the sector was buoyed by resilient pandemic sales and bullish prospects for 2022.

Rupert has taken top spot from former diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer, who is now sitting in second place.

While mining boss Patrice Motsepe’s net worth remained unchanged, Oppenheimer, Rupert, and Capitec founder Michiel le Roux all added to their net wealth in 2021.

Unfortunately for him, media mogul Koos Bekker’s wealth took a bit of a dive last year.

Via BusinessTech, here are the five richest South Africans and how their wealth today compares to the same time last year:

Image: BusinessTech

Sjoe, must be nice.

[source:businesstech]