The richest football team owners in South Africa

Owning a football club can be the ultimate status symbol for the super-rich rich and in South Africa that trend is also prevalent.

Among the richest football team owners in South Africa are two dollar-billionaires.

Richest football team owners in South Africa

Here we take a look at who the six richest football club owners in South Africa are and what their net worth sits at right now. 

Johann Rupert – Stellenbosch FC $9 billion

Johann Rupert derives the majority of his incredible wealth from Cie Financiere Richemont, a publicly traded luxury goods manufacturer and retailer.

In 2017, Rupert became the owner of Stellenbosch FC after the franchise was acquired by Remgro.

Remgro also has a 37.5% stake in the Blue Bulls rugby team.

Patrice Motsepe- Mamelodi Sundowns $2.3 billion

While billionaire Patrice Motsepe has stepped away from the running of Mamelodi Sundowns due to his position as CAF president, he remains the principal owner of the club.

Motsepe bought into Sundowns in 2003 to partner the Tsichlas family with a 51% stake in the club. A year later he would complete a full takeover of the club.

Under Motsepe’s leadership Sundowns have become the dominant force in South African football and a continental powerhouse.

Kaizer Motaung – Kaizer Chiefs $60 million

Kaizer Motaung has received the Order of Ikhamanga honour from the presidency to recognise his achievements in football.

The founder of Kaizer Chiefs has built the club into a global brand.

While Motaung accepted an equity deal with Primedia in 1999, he would buy back that 40% stake in 2010.

Irvin Khoza – Orlando Pirates $35 million

A founding member of the Premier Soccer League, Irvin Khoza still serves as the league chairman.

He became chairman of Orlando Pirates back in 1991 having been the club secretary since 1980.

Khoza has many notable business interests including stakes in several investment and foreign exchange firms.

Jomo Sono Jomo Cosmos FC – $20 million

After a successful football career, Jomo Sono founded his famous club in 1983.

Despite being relegated to lower divisions, Jomo Cosmos has remained a commercial success as a football club.

Sono also has notable investment interests in lucrative South African industries including fast food chains, hotels, petroleum, diamonds and coal.

Shauwn Mkhize – Royal AM Football Club $16 million

In 2019, Durban-based entrepreneur Shauwn Mkhize and her son Andile Mpisane purchased Real Kings football club and renamed it Royal AM.

The club later took over the Bloemfontein Celtic franchise to buy their way into the PSL after being controversially denied promotion.

Mkhize claims to have made her first million at the age of 21 but recently has shot to prominence as a reality TV star.