Businessman Richard Maponya passes away
The family of businessman Richard Maponya confirmed on Monday morning that he has passed away.
In a statement, they say he suffered a short illness.
The family said funeral arrangements would be announced "in due course."
#RichardMaponya#riprichardmaponya
— #CountryDuty (@CountryDutyZA) January 6, 2020
Rest in Eternal Peace Ntate Maponya
You opened doors for many. pic.twitter.com/yg9AWfMyXj
RIP Dr. Richard Maponya...We lost a Giant!!
— hobo group Pty Ltd (@hobo_group) January 6, 2020
Built a business empire from scratch which includes a swathe of businesses and the landmark Maponya Mall in Soweto.
He succeeded without BEE, no handouts or tenders. pic.twitter.com/MmoMERNzFw
Forbes Africa described Maponya as a fighting entrepreneur.
He was assisted by former President Nelson Mandela when Madiba was still a lawyer in Soweto to get an operation licence for his business under the Apartheid regime.
He went on to be the first owner of a black-owned BMW dealership in Soweto in the 1980s and opened the Maponya Mall in 2007 on land he bought in the 70s.