At a Glance
- South African celebrities are leveraging fame into diversified, long-term business portfolios across multiple sectors.
- Music, media, and lifestyle brands dominate celebrity-led investments in fintech, real estate, and consumer goods.
- Ownership and equity stakes now outweigh endorsements as the primary wealth-building strategy.
South Africa’s celebrity economy is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation—one where fame is no longer the endgame, but the entry point to serious capital deployment.
From music royalties and fintech startups to real estate, energy, and consumer brands, a new generation of African stars is reshaping the contours of wealth creation on the continent.
At the center of this shift are entertainers who have moved decisively beyond endorsement deals, choosing instead to build diversified investment portfolios and founder-led businesses with long-term value.
Leading the charge is Grammy-winning DJ and producer Black Coffee, whose evolution from global music icon to disciplined investor reflects a broader trend of African creatives embracing institutional-grade investing.
Alongside him are media moguls, fashion founders, beverage entrepreneurs, and sports investors who are turning cultural influence into scalable enterprises.
Figures like Bonang Matheba, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Zinhle, and Boity Thulo are redefining what celebrity wealth looks like in Africa—anchored not just in visibility, but in ownership.
This emerging class of celebrity investors signals a maturation of Africa’s creative economy, where intellectual property, consumer loyalty, and strategic capital allocation intersect.
Together, they represent a new blueprint for sustainable wealth, positioning South African stars not just as entertainers, but as credible players in the continent’s fast-growing business and investment landscape.
Black Coffee: From Global DJ to Investment Powerhouse
Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo is not only South Africa’s most internationally successful DJ but also one of its most sophisticated celebrity investors.
Through his investment vehicle, FlightMode Digital, the Grammy-winning producer has built a portfolio spanning music rights, fintech, energy, and real estate.
His holdings include a significant stake in Gallo Music Investments, Africa’s largest independent record label, alongside investments in Yoco, SweepSouth, and Nigerian clean-energy company Rensource Energy.
Black Coffee also owns Soweto’s iconic Zone 6 Venue and has expanded into premium Cape Town property, positioning himself as a long-term capital allocator rather than a lifestyle investor.
Bonang Matheba – Media Queen With a Luxury Lifestyle Brand
Bonang “Queen B” Matheba has successfully converted media dominance into a scalable consumer brand. Her flagship venture, House of BNG, disrupted South Africa’s wine industry with its premium MCC Brut and Brut Rosé, including Africa’s first canned sparkling wine.
Beyond beverages, Matheba’s business interests span brand licensing, publishing, and digital content—cementing her status as one of Africa’s most commercially astute media entrepreneurs in the luxury lifestyle segment.
Cassper Nyovest – Hip-Hop Mogul and Brand Builder
Cassper Nyovest exemplifies the evolution of African music stars into multi-sector entrepreneurs. Through Family Tree Records, he has built a talent pipeline, while Family Tree Apparel and Billiato Tequila have strengthened his footprint in fashion and premium spirits.
His investments also extend into real estate and experimental sectors such as agriculture, reflecting a diversified strategy aimed at long-term wealth preservation rather than short-term endorsement income.
DJ Zinhle – Beats, Beauty, and Boutique Brands
DJ Zinhle has transformed her cultural relevance into a fast-growing consumer brand ecosystem. Her accessories label, Era by DJ Zinhle, has gained traction across South Africa, complemented by ventures in salons, haircare, and equity participation in sparkling wine brand Boulevard.
By combining retail, beauty, and digital influence, Zinhle represents a blueprint for celebrity-led brand scalability in Africa’s fashion economy.
Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize – Construction to Football Club Ownership
Shauwn Mkhize built her fortune long before reality TV fame. Through the Zikhulise Group, she established a presence in construction, transport, and maintenance services before making headlines with the acquisition of Royal AM Football Club.
While the club has faced governance and regulatory challenges, Mkhize’s trajectory underscores how celebrity visibility can intersect with capital-intensive sectors like infrastructure and professional sports.
Thando Thabethe – Media Personality Turned Fashion CEO
Thando Thabethe has parlayed her broadcasting career into Thabooty, a shapewear and fashion brand that transitioned from e-commerce success to physical retail.
She also co-owns Redwood Productions, aligning with a broader trend of media personalities seeking ownership across content creation and distribution.
Boity Thulo – Entertainment Polymath and Beverage Founder
Boity Thulo’s entrepreneurial rise spans music, beauty, and beverages. Under the BT Signature brand, she has launched fragrances and a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Her recognition on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 highlights her role in redefining celebrity entrepreneurship within South Africa’s consumer goods sector.
Shimza – DJ to Restaurateur and Cultural Curator
DJ Shimza has translated his influence into hospitality with The Hang Awt 1632 in Thembisa—a restaurant and cultural venue blending food, music, and community.
The concept illustrates how entertainment brands can generate recurring revenue through physical spaces that anchor cultural identity.
