Ramaphosa told mourners in Soweto that SA has lost a visionary leader and a man of extra-ordinary resilience who rose against difficult circumstances until he reached the pinnacle of success. Despite his achievements in business, Maponya remained humble and generous, he said.
Circa September 1972: South Africa's first black millionaire Richard John Maponya was born on 24 December 1926 in the Northern Transvaal . He is best known for building a retail business empire during the 1960s and 1970s, despite the restrictions of Apartheid, and for his contribution to the economic development of Soweto township."South Africa indeed has lost a visionary business leader... We've lost the most outstanding entrepreneur," Ramaphosa said.
He remembered him for his humility and willingness to acknowledge contributions of others, especially his late wife Marina. "The most important aspect of the late Maponya's life was that he was an ethical and principled business person. He was appalled by the practice of some businesses that provided sub-standard services and inferior goods because the public they serve is poor," Ramaphosa said.
He praised Maponya for being fond of young people and mentoring business leaders such as Wendy Luhabe and Felicia Mabuza-Suttle. The two earlier spoke at the funeral, sharing lessons and of light moments they had with Maponya in their youth."He impressed upon young people the values of hard work and of taking up opportunities, but more specially opportunities of educating themselves," he said.
Macro stability starts with and depends on strong Micro Foundation - Dr Richard Maponya; the health of the economy depends on the economic strength of the households - TAdamms
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