Soweto and South Africans are mourning the death of local business mogul Dr Richard Maponya who passed away on Monday morning.
Hailed as the grandfather of black business, Ntate Maponya suffered a short illness at the age of 99.
Family spokesperson Mandla Sibeko told SABC’s Morning Live that Maponya was surrounded by his family when he passed away on Monday morning, adding that they were very saddened.
Maponya made his mark as an entrepreneur in Soweto with businesses like the Maponya Centre in Dube and Maponya Mall in Klipspruit.
He remains an inspiration to many black business people for making it despite the challenges that came with Apartheid. More on this story to follow.
We’d like to send our deepest condolences to the family of the late Ntate Richard Maponya. A giant of business leadership and a pioneer of transformation has passed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. #RIPRichardMaponya (Image:Facebook/Richard Maponya) pic.twitter.com/7lmE2PGBIK
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) January 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/ke_nna_hloni/status/1214059517694140416?s=20
https://twitter.com/PrinceMaciana/status/1214068023558098944?s=20
A giant of Soweto has fallen with the passing of one of Africa's greatest entrepreneurs, Dr Richard Maponya. My fondest memory was when I was a 21-year-old student & he approved one of my business pitches on the spot & said "My son, you have great potential." #RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/qljDmdKcLm
— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego) January 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/KwaMhlanga123/status/1214089312385556482?s=20
It's great sadness to learn that Mr Richard Maponya is no more.
All our tours in Soweto, we always tell the story about his entrepreneurial journey and how every business person is inspired by him.
We will continue telling his story to the Soweto visitors.#RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/pe6aXF1FaQ— Dzedze Travel and Tours (@DzeDzeTours) January 6, 2020
Many Sowetans around Phefeni, Ndofaya, Dube and beyond grew up watching the business strides of this legend. From using a bicycle to sell tripe to being a magnate with various business interests… all of this with no formal education. Respect this giant! #RIPRichardMaponya
— BlaqueSamurai (@blaquestoep) January 6, 2020
Lala Ngoxolo Tata.
