Picture: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Local celebs such as Cassper Nyovest, Oskido, Somizi, Felicia-Mabuza-Suttle, Romeo Khumalo join the scores of South Africans paying tribute to the late Dr Richard Maponya.
Dubbed the great-grandfather of black business, the entrepreneur and property developer, best known for building the multi-million Maponya Mall in Soweto, passed on Monday morning after a short illness.
Condolences continue to pour in for the business mogul who celebrated his 99th birthday on December 24.
Taking to different social media platforms, local stars hailed Maponya as a “pioneer” and a business giant who made an immense contribution to the South African economy.
Radio and TV personality Somizi Mhlongo paid a heartfelt tribute to the fallen business giant, he wrote: “One day I’ll tell my grand kids that this man right here is face of black excellence when there was no hope that a black person and success can be in one sentence.
“I’m cartoony sad but happy to have lived in yo era and I know that ur at peace coz God blessed u with amazing 99 years of an amazing journey.
Through u papa We Are……I am coz u are…..my first memory of the name maponya as a child was going to maponya super market in dube to do groceries. How it was a status to be seen carrying those plastic bags coming out of a taxi. The pride on the faces of black ppl coming from a black owned super market.not having to go to town. Way back before there was woolies there was you papa….REST PAPA REST #riprichardmaponya”.
Businessman and musician Cassper Nyovest said: “Pioneer, legend , phenomenon and black excellence. Thank you for leading and inspriing. Never met you but i was touched and influenced. A great life lived. Robala ka kgotso. #RIPRichardMaponya.
Pioneer, legend , phenomenon and black excellence. Thank you for leading and inspriing. Never met you but i was touched and influenced. A great life lived. Robala ka kgotso. #RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/wzJv1uc6uN
— R.M Phoolo (@casspernyovest)
January 6, 2020
Music producer and record label owner Oskido posted: “Richard Maponya was The Don, a father figure of black business who inspired me about the importance of ownership in a time when black excellence was a crime.”
Richard Maponya was The Don, a father figure of black business who inspired me about the importance of ownership in a time when black excellence was a crime.
:#RIPRichardMaponya 💔 pic.twitter.com/RceyPQ51hP— AkhiweOutNow (@OskidoIBelieve)
January 6, 2020
Businesswoman and former talk show host Felicia Mabuza-Suttle also paid a moving tribute to late media mogul and shared: “I can’t believe it. Got the call I had never expected to get from the Maponya family. Papa has gone to join his beloved wife, #MarinaMaponya.
On Dec 24, I called him to wish him a happy 99th birthday & I promised to be home for his 100th birthday. End of an era indeed. RIP Pops.”
I can’t believe it. Got the call I had never expected to get from the Maponya family. Papa has gone to join his beloved wife, #MarinaMaponya.
On Dec 24, I called him to wish him a happy 99th birthday & I promised to be home for his 100th birthday. End of an era indeed. RIP Pops. pic.twitter.com/Rv9cBm0IXw— Felicia Mabuza-Suttle (@Feliciamabuza)
January 6, 2020
Businessman and former media personality Romeo Khumalo paid his respects: “Lives of great men all remind us. We can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us. Footprints on the sands of time – Henry Longfellow. Deep condolences to the Maponya family on the passing of a giant in our lifetime. Rest in Power Ntate Maponya.”
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time – Henry Longfellow. Deep condolences to the Maponya family on the passing of a giant in our lifetime. Rest in Power Ntate Maponya. pic.twitter.com/tcDfbPllP3— Romeo Kumalo (@romeokumalo)
January 6, 2020
More tributes continued to pour as Mzansi remembered Dr Maponya.
A giant of Soweto has fallen with the passing of one of Africa’s greatest entrepreneurs, Dr Richard Maponya. My fondest memory was when I was a 21-year-old student & he approved one of my business pitches on the spot & said “My son, you have great potential.” #RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/qljDmdKcLm
— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego)
January 6, 2020
It’s the end of an era.
Very reminiscent of the day we lost Bab’ Max Maisela.
These were the true & original doyens. They wrote their own rule book because they were not allowed to be on the sports field.
Lala kahle Ndlovu. #RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/KaJkPySDo5
— Vusi Thembekwayo (@VusiThembekwayo)
January 6, 2020
At the age of 99 he was still working hard and actively involved in his businesses, wow. …
Let’s learn from this man. Most black people are worried about their retirement while this man was constantly worried about leaving a lasting legacy #RIPRichardMaponya pic.twitter.com/NSoBlcEt4I
— #BestSellingAuthor 🏆 (@MeshackBevhula)
January 6, 2020
Maponya’s business career spanned over 50 years. He began in the retail sector in the 1950s when he and his wife Marina opened a milk distribution company in Soweto.
Over the years, their business empire included interests in retail, automotive, filling stations and property development.
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