Vusi Thembekwayo Claps Back After Viral Rate Card Shows R950K Keynote Fee
- Vusi Thembekwayo's rate card went viral on X after a user posted pricing that showed a R950,000 keynote speaker fee
- The viral moment came shortly after a widely circulated list placed Thembekwayo at number 13 among SA's wealthiest, citing an R8 billion net worth
- Thembekwayo fired back at the user who shared the pricing, claiming the rate card shared online is a decade out of date
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Source: Instagram
A pricing table for venture capitalist and motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo set social media alight this week, after X user @Mlu_N77 posted what appeared to be his official rate card. The figures were eye-watering: R950,000 for a keynote speaking engagement in South Africa, and R1,000,000 for product and brand endorsements, with international rates climbing to $150,000 for the same.
The post, shared on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, quickly gained traction — but Thembekwayo himself was not about to let it slide without a word. He replied directly to @Mlu_N77, writing: "This rate card is 10yrs old. Get up to date, Mlu." The clapback only added fuel to the fire, with many reading between the lines that his current rates are likely even steeper.
Vusi Thembekwayo's R8 Billion net worth
The timing of the viral post was not lost on anyone following SA's business circles. A widely shared internet list ranking South Africa's wealthiest individuals had already placed Thembekwayo at number 13, with his net worth cited at approximately R8 billion, equivalent to somewhere between $430 million and $600 million. The list had already been generating significant conversation before the rate card post poured more petrol on the debate.
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The full pricing table showed conference facilitation starting at R75,000, strategy facilitation from R60,000, and master of ceremonies services from R65,000 per engagement in South Africa. Rest of Africa pricing was listed in US dollars, with several services exceeding $11,000.
Netizens react to the revelations
Peeps on X had plenty to say, ranging from admiration to scepticism:
@Hendrix_Jnr wrote:
"You're a likeable guy; you just make it hard for some people to like you. I'd like to mentor you on how you can tap into ur true potential; this 'charging' folks to speak in riddles makes you come off as a crook. Like, why's your 'rate card' even 'public' in the first place, like you're a DJ?"
@DavidRo12736042 kept it short and supportive:
"Good for you bro, get your worth. proudly 🇿🇦"
@Shawn_Sfiso brought the humour:
"Don't let @SizweDhlomo see this? 😳😢😂"
@r4fikiiii went straight for the jugular, asking:
"What's your current rate card? So you not beating the net worth 'allegations'?"
@ImNotYourAge flipped Thembekwayo's own logic back on him:
"Lol YOU are the one who's supposed to update your rate card, hebanna?"
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Source: Briefly News
