South African billionaire Koos Bekker hit by $500 million loss in share slide

South African billionaire Koos Bekker has seen a sharp reversal in his fortune, with losses now approaching $500 million after a strong start to the year briefly lifted his net worth to $4 billion. The pullback has not only erased those early gains but also reshaped South Africa’s rich list, where Patrice Motsepe has regained ground.

Figures compiled by Forbes show Bekker’s wealth has declined from $4 billion on January 14, 2026, to $3.5 billion at the time of drafting this report. The drop follows a steady slide in the shares of Naspers and its Amsterdam-listed unit Prosus, two companies central to his fortune.

Bekker’s stakes hit as Naspers, Prosus shares dip

After a modest rise in early January, both stocks turned lower. Shares of Naspers on the Johannesburg exchange and Prosus in Amsterdam have each fallen by more than 24 percent since the beginning of the year. The decline has reduced their market values to $42 billion and $110 billion, respectively, weighing heavily on shareholder returns.

For Bekker, the impact is direct. He holds about 0.93 percent of Naspers, or roughly 1.69 million shares, and 0.76 percent of Prosus, equivalent to about 19.65 million shares. As the share prices slipped, so did the value of those holdings, cutting deeply into his personal wealth.

The recent losses follow a period of portfolio adjustments. In December, Bekker sold shares worth close to R2.5 billion ($150.3 million) through his family trust. Company disclosures show he disposed of just under 800,000 Naspers shares for R860.5 million ($51.7 million) and sold about 1.55 million Prosus shares at prices ranging from €51.24 to €53.68 per share.

Bekker builds multicontinent hospitality assets

While the market downturn has weighed on his net worth, Bekker has continued to invest outside technology. With his wife, Karen Roos, he has built a portfolio of hospitality assets that reflects a long-term personal interest. Their holdings include Babylonstoren in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, The Newt in Somerset in the U.K., and Vignamaggio near Florence in Italy.

In early 2024, the couple added Blou, a coastal retreat near Plettenberg Bay, to their growing portfolio. Their properties attract international guests and have supported global events such as the Chelsea Flower Show. The move reflects Bekker’s steady push into hospitality, even as market swings continue to shape his ranking among Africa’s richest individuals.