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South Africa’s Highest Paid CEOs in 2025

Some of South Africa’s top ceos earned significant pay packages in 2025, reflecting a combination of salaries, bonuses, long-term incentives, and, in certain specific cases, exit deals.Across sectors from banking and telecoms to mining and retail, these packages are tied to company performance and shareholder returns. They also reflect the responsibilities of managing some of the contry’s largest and most complex businesses.

According to Legal Advice, one CEO in South Africa earns more than an entire neighborhood combined. That CEO is Mike Henry from BHP Billiton, who tops the list of the highest paid CEOs in south Africa for 2025-2026. This individual could afford a new luxury car daily and still have enough left over to cover the annual salaries of dozens of employees.

Top CEO Earnings in 2025

Gerrie Fourie – Capitec Bank – R104 million

Gerrie Fourie earned approximately R104 million, including both short- and long-term incentives, in his final year as Capitec’s CEO. Fourie successfully transformed Capitec from a small challenger bank into a major retail-banking giant, significantly growing its customer base and market share.

Mike Henry – BHP Billiton – Highest Overall Earner

Mike Henry of BHP Billiton leads the list as the highest-paid CEO in South Africa for 2025-2026. While the exact figure isn’t specified, the report highlights the sheer magnitude of his earnings, emphasizing his financial capacity.

Other Notable CEO Earnings

• Sipho Pityana – Econet Wireless – R68.8 million: Pityana’s package reflects his leadership in the telecommunications sector.
• Ben van der Walt – Absa – R63.7 million: Van der Walt’s earnings are tied to the performance of one of South Africa’s largest banking institutions.
• Calen Alexander – MTN – R62.9 million: Alexander’s compensation reflects MTN’s position as a leading mobile operator in Africa.
• Norman Dlamini – Old Mutual – R58.9 million: Dlamini’s package is linked to the performance of the insurance and investment group.
• Nazeem hoosen – Pepkor – R56.8 million: Hoosen’s earnings reflect the success of Pepkor in the retail sector.
• Graham Kerr – Standard Bank – R54.7 million: Kerr’s compensation is tied to the performance of Standard Bank, another major player in South African banking.
• andré de Ruyter – Eskom – R4.7 million: De Ruyter’s earnings, while significantly lower than others on the list, are notable given the challenges faced by Eskom.

Factors Influencing CEO Pay

Company Performance

A primary driver of CEO compensation is company performance. Strong financial results, increased shareholder value, and triumphant strategic initiatives typically lead to larger bonuses and incentive payouts.

Industry Sector

CEO pay varies significantly across different industries. Sectors with higher profitability and complexity, such as banking, mining, and telecommunications, generally offer higher compensation packages.

Complexity of the Role

The size and complexity of the business a CEO manages also play a role. Leading large, multinational corporations with diverse operations often commands higher pay.

Long-Term Incentives

Many CEO compensation packages include long-term incentives, such as stock options or performance-based equity awards, designed to align the CEO’s interests with those of shareholders.

Key takeaways

• South African CEOs earn ample pay packages, reflecting their responsibilities and company performance.
• Mike Henry of BHP Billiton is the highest earner, with a compensation package exceeding that of entire neighborhoods.
• CEO pay is influenced by factors such as company performance, industry sector, and the complexity of the role.
• Long-term incentives are a significant component of many CEO compensation packages.

Publication Date: 2025/12/05 08:58:59

Looking ahead, CEO compensation in South Africa is likely to remain a topic of public debate, particularly in light of economic inequality and social challenges. increased scrutiny from shareholders and regulatory bodies may lead to