Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille mourns the passing of Dr. Richard Maponya.
I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dr Richard Mopanya. Tata Maponya was a pioneer for black business in South Africa and paved the way for entrepreneurship and black excellence. He was a visionary who led the charge for black business owners to become economically empowered during a time when people of colour were denied this right and many other rights.
He broke through boundaries, successfully setting up business ventures even during the dark days of apartheid, including the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) along with Dr. Sam Motseunyane, Bigvai Masekela and SZ Conco in 1964.
Tata Maponya’s career is one that we must celebrate as a nation and one that we can forever be proud of. We are indeed grateful for the contribution he made to empowering black business men and women. He was also an inspiration to many young people and it is my hope that his achievements will motivate young people and teach them about what can be accomplished through determination and hard work.
This is a huge loss which will be felt throughout the business fraternity.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and business associates of the late Dr. Maponya. May his soul rest in peace. Hamba Kahle Tata Maponya.
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