Ramaphosa mourns death of businessman Richard Maponya
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of business leader Dr Richard Maponya after he died at the age of 99 in the early hours of Monday. We have lost a pioneer, a trailblazer and a man of extraordinary fortitude who paved the way for the racial transformation of the South African economy,” Ramaphosa said in a statement released by the Presidency. Dr Maponya’s life is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of vision: namely to see black business grow to assume its full role as the key participant and driver of our economy.”
Maponya’s business career spanned over 50 years. He began in the retail sector in the 1950s when he and his wife Marina opened a milk distribution company in Soweto. Over the years, their business empire included interests in retail, automotive, filling stations and property development.
He was of that rare breed of entrepreneurs who would not be held back or become disheartened by difficult operating conditions – in fact, having obstacles put in his path drove him even further to succeed. Dr Maponya embodied sustainability and corporate social responsibility and investment well before these concepts were academically defined. He was a patriot who believed in the power of building businesses that build communities,” Ramaphosa said. Dr Maponya was a founding member of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) and as well as a chairman of the African Chamber of Commerce.
In other news – Senzo Meyiwa’s widow Mandisa Meyiwa spills more beans – Besides Kelly Khumalo, he also slept with my best friend
A book about the late Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa reveals different versions of him and details his cheating escapades, whilst still married to Mandisa Meyiwa.
In November 2019, ZAlebs ran a story about the existence of a book, detailing the chronicles of Senzo Meyiwa’s life. The book was written by self-published author, Soweto Mandlakazi and it will be officially launched on 21 February 20 in Durban. Read more
Source: IOL
