Africa’s passion for football extends beyond the pitch, reaching the heights of wealth and philanthropy.
Owners of two major football clubs, Patrice Motsepe and Mohammed Dewji, have secured prestigious spots on the 2024 Forbes list of Africa’s richest 20 billionaires.
Leading the way is Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe occupies the impressive ninth position on the list with a net worth of $2.7 billion.
Motsepe, who also doubles as the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has been a vocal advocate for African football development and investment. His influence extends beyond South Africa, where Mamelodi Sundowns remains a powerhouse club.
Following closely behind at the 12th position is Tanzania’s youngest billionaire, Mohammed Dewji. The 48-year-old philanthropist also holds the majority shares of Simba SC, another African football giant. Dewji’s commitment to social impact transcends the world of football, with his MeTL Group being the largest private employer in Tanzania.
Both Motsepe and Dewji have actively championed the advancement of African football. Their philanthropic efforts extend to initiatives like the inaugural Africa Football League, (AFL) a collaborative project aimed at raising the standards of the game across the continent.
Sundowns won the inaugural AFL and the triumph showcases Motsepe’s financial clout, attracting elite players from Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and South Africa.
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However, Motsepe sees his return in invest as the club has won the AFL and the DStv Premiership a record six times and they feature regularly in the CAF Champions League knockout stages, a competition they won back in 2016.Â
On the other hand, Dewji’s Simba SC have also been making great strides in their CAF Champions League dream as they have been making it in knockout stages after years of struggle. This comes after the club signed several highly rated players such as Bernard Morrison, Joash Onyango, and Peter Muduhwa
They dominated the domestic scenes in Tanzania for years, winning the league title three times in a row.
Motsepe and Dewji’s inclusion in the Forbes list highlights the growing influence of African football figures beyond the sporting arena. It’s a testament to the power of football’s passion to ignite not only athletic dreams but also significant social and economic contributions.
With such influential figures at the helm, the future of African football appears bright. As Motsepe and Dewji continue their philanthropic endeavours and leadership roles, it’s safe to say that the beautiful game in Africa will not only entertain but also empower and inspire generations to come.
On the Forbes list at number two with a net worth of $10.1 billion, is another South African football club owner, Johann Rupert. The billionaire owns Stellenbosch FC, who recently won domestic Cup in SA, the Carling Knockout Cup. However, he is not involved in African football but other ventures such as Compagnie Financiere Richemont–maker of Cartier watches and Montblanc pens.