1. Johann Rupert is the chairman of the Swiss-based luxury-goods company Richemont and the South Africa-based company Remgro.
19 Facts About Johann Rupert
1. 2.
Johann Rupert grew up in Stellenbosch, where he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium and the University of Stellenbosch, studying economics and company law.
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Johann Rupert dropped out of the university to pursue a career in business in 2004, the university awarded him an honorary doctorate in Economics.
4.
Johann Rupert has declared his sympathy for and belief in the idea of a universal basic income.
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Johann Rupert served his business apprenticeship in New York City, where he worked for Chase Manhattan for two years and for Lazard Freres for 3 years.
6.
Johann Rupert then returned to South Africa in 1979 and founded Rand Merchant Bank of which he was CEO.
7.
Johann Rupert is a former cricketer and founded the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in 1990.
8.
Johann Rupert co-founded the Sports Science Institute with his friends Morne du Plessis and Tim Noakes.
9.
Johann Rupert developed the Gary Player designed, Leopard Creek Golf Club in Mpumalanga, South Africa which is one of South Africa's top three golf courses, and rated number 25 outside the United States of America.
10.
Johann Rupert has played in the annual Gary Player Invitational golf tournament to assist fellow South African and friend Gary Player raise funds for various children's charities.
11.
Johann Rupert serves as Chairman of the South African PGA Tour and Chairman of the South African Golf Development Board.
12.
In 2018, having won three premiership titles and two Champions Cups, Johann Rupert sold his stake to chairman Nigel Wray.
13.
Johann Rupert initiated a project to enhance the farm in memory of his late brother.
14.
Johann Rupert was council member of The South Africa Foundation and trustee of the Southern African Nature Foundation, The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa, Business South Africa and Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and Managing Trustee and member of the investment committee, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
15.
Johann Rupert served on the Daimler Chrysler International Advisory Board.
16.
In December 2016, it was reported that Johann Rupert had dropped Bell Pottinger as the PR agency of Richemont, accusing Bell Pottinger of running a social media campaign against him, to divert attention away from persistent 'state capture' allegations levelled at the Gupta family.
17.
In 2018, Johann Rupert caused some controversy in South Africa for comments he made during an interview with PowerFM.
18.
Johann Rupert was criticised for denying the alleged existence of white monopoly capital, his account of the process of Afrikaner economic-upliftment, and for comments he made regarding the saving habits of black South Africans.
19.
The controversial leader of the Black First Land First party Andile Mngxitama stated afterwards that Johann Rupert's comments were a reason to commit violence against white South Africans.