Koos Bekker: Meet South African Billionaire Behind Naspers, MultiChoice, And Media24

Koos Bekker, born Jacobus Petrus Bekker on December 14, 1952, in Potchefstroom, South Africa, is the billionaire businessman behind Naspers, the company that owns South Africa’s largest news publisher, Media24.  

Naspers, which has operations in 130 countries and is listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges, is the largest media group outside the US, China, and India.  

Bekker is also credited for pioneering Pay-Tv services in Africa, opening the way for companies like DStv, Showmax., Multichoice, among others.  

He has previously been hailed as South Africa’s best entrepreneur.  

This is his profile as told by WOA: 

Koos Bekker Net worth 

According to Forbes, Koos Bekker has a net worth of $3 Billion, making him the 9th richest person in Africa.  

His wealth is comprised of direct and indirect ownership of the following companies: 

• Naspers: Bekker holds a controlling 0.85% stake in Naspers, a media group operating in 130 countries. 

• Prosus N.V.: Bekker owns 0.72% of Prosus, a global internet company and part of the Naspers group. 

• Tencent Holdings: Through Naspers, Bekker has a substantial stake in Tencent Holdings, the Chinese internet giant. 

• Multichoice: As part of Naspers, Bekker has indirect ownership of Multichoice, a major satellite TV provider in Africa. 

• Media24: Naspers owns South Africa’s largest news publisher, Media24. 

• Takealot: Naspers also owns Takealot, South Africa’s largest online retailer 

Bekker also owns several multi-million properties in Soth Africa and abroad.  

For instance, he owns the iconic Babylonstoren wine estate, which he acquired in 2007. The estate is located in the Cape Winelands of South Africa.

It spans nearly 600 acres and features a farm, orchard, beautifully restored architecture dating back to 1690, and more.  

The estate, which attracts revelers from all over the world, includes extensive gardens, a boutique hotel, a restaurant, and farm-to-table dining options.  

In Somerset, England, he owns another multi-million-pound 300-acre estate which includes a luxury hotel, vineyard, spa, and extensive gardens.  

Aside from real estate, Bekker is reputed to have other investments in other sectors of South Africa’s economy.  

Koos Bekker Education Background 

Koos Bekker has an impressive educational background that has undoubtedly contributed to his success in the business world.  

His qualifications include: 

• Matriculation: He completed his secondary education at Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg in South Africa. 

• Bachelor’s Degrees: Bekker earned a BA in Literature and a BA in Law from Stellenbosch University, graduating with these degrees in 1972 and 1975, respectively. 

• LLB Degree: He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1978. 

• MBA: Bekker completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Columbia Business School in New York City in 1984. 

This combination of law, literature, and business education has equipped him with a formidable skill set that has been instrumental in his career, particularly in transforming Naspers into a leading global media and technology company. 

But how did Keller make his Billions?  

Koos Bekker Success journey 

Born on December 14, 1952, in Potchefstroom, South Africa, Bekker grew up on a farm, which he credits for instilling in him a strong work ethic and problem-solving skills.  

He completed his early education at Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg and pursued higher education at Stellenbosch University, where he earned degrees in Law and Literature.  

He furthered his studies with an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York City, graduating in 1984.  

It was at Columbia that he developed the idea for a pay television service that would later become M-Net. 

After his studies, Bekker briefly worked in advertising before returning to South Africa with a vision for cable television. In 1986, he co-founded M-Net, one of the first pay-television services outside the United States.  

The service began with limited programming but quickly expanded its offerings, becoming a household name across South Africa and eventually leading to the establishment of MultiChoice, which revolutionized satellite TV services throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. 

In 1997, Bekker became the CEO of Naspers, a traditional newspaper publisher that he transformed into a global media powerhouse.  

Under his leadership, Naspers diversified into various sectors, including telecommunications with the founding of MTN, which became one of Africa’s largest mobile network operators.  

Bekker’s strategic vision led to Naspers’ market capitalization soaring from approximately $1.2 billion to $45 billion during his tenure until 2014. 

A significant turning point in Bekker’s career was Naspers’ investment in Tencent in 2001, acquiring a 46.5% stake in the Chinese internet giant.

This investment proved immensely profitable as Tencent grew to become one of the world’s leading technology companies. 

Despite stepping down as CEO in 2014, Bekker has continued to serve as chairman of Naspers, influencing its strategic direction and investments.