Richard Maponya, the grandfather of black business in SA, dies aged 99

Entrepreneur and property developer Ntate Richard Maponya died in the early hours of Monday morning.He celebrated his 99th birthday on December 24.

His death came after a short illness, a spokesperson said in a brief statement.

The family requested privacy “during this time of grieving”.Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

In November, despite his age, Maponya said he was so concerned about
the low employment rate in the country that he was planning to open an
academy to train the youth on how to be entrepreneurs.

“Right now I am trying to come with an institution that must train
all our youngsters so that when they graduate they get trained to use
their own hands and be able to get employed or get into business in
their own right,” said a post on his Facebook page. He said he was
searching for financial and non-financial support to make his dream a
reality.

Maponya was the founding president of the National African Federated
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc), which was started in 1964 to
serve the interests of small businesses.

At the age of 82, he said: “We need to create jobs for our people. That
is my primary objective. I have been blessed beyond measure and am able
to put food on the table; I want the same for others.”

Maponya, renowned for building a business empire despite apartheid-era
restrictions, was last month wished happy birthday by President Cyril
Ramaphosa, who said: “I urge young South Africans to research the life
story of this great legend, and draw lessons from how he overcame
adversity to become one of the greatest pioneers and success stories of
our time.”

The business legend had trained as a teacher, before starting small
grocery stores in Soweto in the early 1950s. These led to various
businesses, including a butchery, liquor stores and supermarket, car
dealership and filling station.

The most visible sign of Maponya’s success is his 65,000m² Maponya Mall
in Soweto. In 2007, former president Nelson Mandela cut the ribbon at
the opening of the landmark township development.

Cas Coovadia, Business Unity SA Acting CEO, said on Monday that
Maponya’s death was a sad moment for SA business and the country.

“Dr Maponya distinguished himself as a successful businessman at a time
when it was extremely difficult for black people to start a business,
let alone excel in business,” said Coovadia.