Cyril Ramaphosa Net Worth: How South Africa’s President Built a $450 Million Fortune

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has an estimated net worth of $450 million. He is 72 years old, lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is a South African citizen. His wealth stems largely from self-made investments and decades of business leadership. He is married, has five children, and currently serves as the President of South Africa.

Early Life, Family and Education

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa was born on November 17, 1952, in Soweto, Johannesburg, during the height of apartheid-era segregation. He was the second of three children born to Erdmuth and Samuel Ramaphosa, a retired policeman. The family was forcibly relocated to Soweto under apartheid laws, and Cyril experienced the system's inequalities from a young age.

He completed high school at Mphaphuli High School in Limpopo in 1971 and later studied law at the University of the North (Turfloop). Active in student politics, he joined the Black People’s Convention and the South African Students Organisation. His activism led to two separate stints in solitary confinement in 1974 and 1976. Undeterred, he completed his legal degree through UNISA while working as a law clerk, earning his BProc in 1981.

How Cyril Ramaphosa Made His Fortune

Cyril Ramaphosa’s estimated net worth sits at approximately $450 million, making him one of Africa’s richest political figures. He accumulated his fortune through strategic business moves, black economic empowerment (BEE) partnerships, and a wide-ranging portfolio of investments. His main vehicle for wealth was Shanduka Group, an investment company he founded in 2001. At its peak, Shanduka held stakes in McDonald’s South Africa, Coca-Cola bottling companies, mining firms, banks, and telecoms, with total asset value surpassing R20 billion (around $1.1 billion USD).

By 2011, his fortune was estimated at $275 million. It peaked near $700 million by 2013 during Shanduka’s rise. In 2015, Forbes placed his net worth at $450 million. After his return to politics in 2014, Ramaphosa began divesting from business interests to avoid conflicts of interest, transferring many assets into trusts.

Business Ventures and Boardroom Power

Ramaphosa served as chairman of Bidvest and MTN, and held board positions at Anglo American, SABMiller, Lonmin, and Standard Bank. He also acquired the 20-year master franchise of McDonald’s South Africa in 2011 and sat on Coca-Cola’s International Advisory Board. After entering public office, he stepped down from all commercial roles and merged Shanduka with Pembani Group in a $900 million deal. Though exact figures were private, analysts estimated his personal earnings from the merger between $200 million and $300 million.

Residences, Lifestyle and Personal Assets

President Ramaphosa owns a luxury mansion in Cape Town’s exclusive Fresnaye suburb, valued at around R30 million ($1.6 million USD), featuring panoramic ocean views. He also holds more than 30 properties nationwide, including upscale townhouses in Johannesburg and apartments in Cape Town. His vehicle collection includes high-end cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Toyota Land Cruiser, reflecting a taste for luxury and durability.

For official travel, Ramaphosa uses “Inkwazi,” a customized Boeing Business Jet worth R300 million ($16 million USD), with interior fittings costing another R108 million ($5.8 million USD). Though state-funded, the aircraft is symbolic of his presidential stature.

Phala Phala Farm and Ankole Cattle Breeding

One of Ramaphosa’s lesser-known ventures is his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo, where he breeds rare Ankole cattle. His prized Ntaba Nyoni herd is known across Africa. In March 2024, a single auction of his livestock brought in nearly R15 million ($800,000 USD). His interest in Ankole cattle began during a 2004 visit to Uganda, and he went to great lengths—through Kenya—to import the breed via embryo transfer.

Ramaphosa re-entered politics in 2012, became Deputy President in 2014, and succeeded Jacob Zuma in 2018. He was elected for a full term in 2019 and again in 2024, though the ANC failed to secure a majority and formed a coalition. Throughout his return to power, he publicly declared no outside income and placed his commercial assets into blind trusts.

Controversies and Scandals

His wealth has not been without controversy. Ramaphosa faced backlash over the 2012 Marikana massacre while he was a director at Lonmin. In 2022, he became embroiled in the “Farmgate” scandal involving undisclosed cash stolen from his game farm. Although no charges were filed, it cast a shadow over his anti-corruption message. Critics also point to economic stagnation, power cuts, and high unemployment as failures under his leadership.

Global Influence and Diplomacy

Ramaphosa has positioned South Africa as a leader in the Global South. He led the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, maintained a neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and strengthened South Africa’s voice within BRICS. He’s also been a vocal proponent of women in leadership, creating South Africa’s first gender-balanced cabinet in 2019.

Cyril Ramaphosa’s life journey—from township youth and labor activist to billionaire businessman and president—is one of extraordinary complexity. Admired for his diplomacy and negotiation skills, criticized for hesitancy on reform, he remains a pivotal figure in South Africa’s post-apartheid story. His ability to steer a fragile coalition may determine whether he is remembered as the man who saved the ANC—or the one who let it slip into irrelevance.

Family and Children

President Cyril Ramaphosa is married to Dr. Tshepo Motsepe, a physician, social advocate, and the sister of South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe. The couple married in 1996 and have raised a blended family of five children, several of whom have carved out careers in business, architecture, and entrepreneurship.

His eldest son, Andile Ramaphosa, is a businessman with a background in finance. He drew public attention in 2018 when he married Bridget Birungi, the niece of former Ugandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. Another son, Tumelo Ramaphosa, is an entrepreneur and CEO of StudEX Wildlife, a tech-forward conservation platform. Tumelo holds a master’s degree in international business from Hult International Business School in San Francisco.

Ramaphosa's daughter Keneilwe “Kiki” Ramaphosa is an architect based in New York City. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Cape Town and a master’s from Columbia University’s prestigious architecture program. Another daughter, Tulisa Ramaphosa, born in 1992, keeps a low public profile. The youngest, Mashudu Ramaphosa, is reportedly a student at the University of Cape Town, though little is publicly known about her.

Despite Ramaphosa’s political visibility, his family has largely stayed out of the spotlight. He has publicly emphasized the importance of shielding his children from media scrutiny and political interference, describing them as private citizens entitled to their own paths.

💸 Cyril Ramaphosa Net Worth Summary