SA mourns icon of black business Richard Maponya

SOUTH Africa today mourns Richard Maponya, an icon of black business, who died yesterday at 99.

Maponya over the decades became the face of black excellence and was a father figure to entrepreneurs across the country.

One of the very few business people who did not rely on government tenders, Maponya has left an indelible mark on business, starting out long before the new South Africa in 1994.

From the formation of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1964, which he led with zest and determination, Maponya was a towering figure of business, even under the restrictive apartheid laws which sought to reduce black people to second-class citizens.

He will always be remembered as one of the very few black business leaders who built wealth against all odds when it wasn’t fashionable for black South Africans to wade into entrepreneurship.

Consistent, resilient and determined, Maponya was the poster boy of black excellence.

And as condolences pour in for this great South African, his death must give us time to reflect on his legacy of entrepreneurship at a time when our country faces massive joblessness, especially among our youth.

Unemployment was one of Maponya’s biggest concerns, and he strongly believed that entrepreneurs would lift thousands of our people out of poverty and create much-needed jobs.

A man of integrity and undeniably a giant, Maponya will be missed by many, not only in the business world but also in entrepreneurship, where he gave hope to many young people.

It’s probably Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s words that sum up Maponya’s legacy.

“He was indeed a walking monument of the township economy and father of black retail business.

“He was the epitome of black business excellence and resilience, as well as a great inspiration to a generation of young black entrepreneurs,” said Makhura.

We couldn’t agree more.

May his family find comfort in this difficult time and be assured that his passing is a blow not only to them but to us all.

A giant has indeed fallen. May he rest in peace.