Johann Rupert studied Company Law and Economics at SU. He soon spread his wings and served his business apprenticeship in New York for five years, before returning to South Africa in 1979. During that year, he founded Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), and started the Small Business Development Corporation, which subsequently created 500 000 jobs in South Africa.
Dr Rupert founded, merged and restructured various leading companies, and served in a leadership capacity in several institutions, ranging from the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns to the Daimler Chrysler International Advisory Board and Gold Fields South Africa. In 1984 he successfully presided over a merger between RMB and Rand Consolidated Investments before joining his father’s Rembrandt Group, of which he later became chairman. In 1988 he formed the Swiss-based luxury goods company Richemont, followed in 2000 by venture capital companies Remgro and Venfin. He also took ownership of the L’Ormarins wine estate from his late brother Antonij, and develops it in his honour. Dr Rupert holds two honorary doctorate degrees, one in Economics from SU in 2004 and the other in Commerce from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), awared in 2008. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Wits Business School’s “Management Excellence Award” for 2009. His outstanding achievements in business leadership and his vision have earned him numerous other local and international awards. Amongst others, he was chosen three times as “Most Influential Leader in South Africa” by the top 100 listed companies in South Africa; elected as “Businessman of the Year” by the Sunday Times (twice), Die Burger and the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce respectively, and one of “200 Global leaders of Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This year he also received the “International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, presented in Dusseldorf, Germany.
A sports lover and former cricketer, Dr Rupert is co-founder of the Sports Science Institute at the University of Cape Town. He also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which funds 65 projects globally, and benefits underprivileged children. He serves as chairman of the South African PGA Tour and the South African Golf Development Board.
The chancellor is appointed for five years, but may be appointed for one additional term in office. Contact:
Martie van der Linde
Tel: (021) 808 4896 or
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Installation of Chancellor, 18 February 2010
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