‘He was there yesterday, he's gone today’ – Roy Maponya

Maponya died at the age of 99 on Monday following a short illness.

His funeral took place at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the siblings, his son Roy Maponya said when his wife passed away the tycoon almost lost his passion for business.

"It made him sad, resulting in him nearly losing the drive we come to know him for.  Today he is joining her in their last resting place. An era is ending, a cycle is complete.”

He told mourners that the siblings have not yet had an opportunity to reflect on what life will be like without their father.

"We have not had time to sit down and reflect on what our new reality will be without our anchor. The implications are intimidating, as the world has become a different one altogether.

"He was there yesterday, he's gone today. We don't know what the future looks like but we still have to go through that. Life continues, but most importantly we must adapt to be without our leading elephant.”

His grandchildren, represented by Naledi Sibeko, recalled some special moments with the entrepreneur.

"We quickly became grandpa's workforce. We wrote cheques and some of us even signed them. What was a tycoon, rich, wealthy, successful to others, but to us he was grandpa. We are truly blessed to have him as a great ancestor now.”