South Africa’s second-richest man Nicky Oppenheimer gains $300 million

South African billionaire Nicky Oppenheimer has achieved a remarkable feat in the past eleven days as his net worth closed in on the $10-billion milestone, solidifying his position as the second-richest man in South Africa, and the third richest on the African continent.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the fortunes of the world’s top 500 billionaires, Oppenheimer’s wealth has seen a staggering increase of $300 million over the past 11 days — this translates to an average daily gain of $27.3 million since Jan. 19.

Oppenheimer’s fortune skyrockets, reaching approximately $10 billion

This remarkable financial growth has caused his net worth to increase from $9.68 billion on Jan. 19 to $9.98 billion at the time of drafting this report — thus solidifying his position as one of the world’s richest individuals.

The recent $300-million surge in Oppenheimer’s wealth has not only offset previous losses but also resulted in substantial year-to-date gains, reaching the $130-million mark. The boost in his fortune is credited to the increased valuation of his diverse investments, primarily overseen through his ventures, Stockdale Street in London and Tana Africa Capital in Johannesburg.

Oppenheimer secures 228th spot among world’s richest

With a current wealth of $9.98 billion, Oppenheimer is the world’s 228th richest individual. In South Africa, he holds the second spot, trailing Johann Rupert, and across the African continent, he is the third-wealthiest person.

His success as a businessman is largely credited to his influential role in the diamond industry, particularly the sale of his family’s 40-percent stake in De Beers to the mining conglomerate Anglo-American for a staggering $5.2 billion in 2012.

From boardrooms to game reserves: Diverse holdings of Oppenheimer

Beyond his illustrious business ventures, Oppenheimer is celebrated for his dedication to wilderness conservation. Alongside his son, Jonathan, he co-owns Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, which serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and plays a pivotal role in preserving the region’s natural biodiversity.

Additionally, Oppenheimer is the owner of the 65,000-hectare Shangani Ranch, a crucial migration route for animals that contributes significantly to the local economy by employing 400 individuals and facilitating beef exports to the United Kingdom.