TUT mourns passing of honorary doctor, Dr Richard Maponya

The Tshwane University of Technology Council and community mourns the passing of Dr Richard Maponya, revered businessman, property developer and who has often been referred to as “the godfather of black business”, who passed away on 6 January at the age of 99. 

In September 2008, the University honoured him for his business and entrepreneur skills and the contribution he has made to the socio-economic development of the country, by conferring an honorary doctorate on him. 

A pioneer in his own right, Richard Maponya established his first business in the early nineteen-fifties after persistently pressuring and eventually convincing officials to consider issuing him a licence to sell foodstuff through the legal partnership of Mandela/Tambo, who had made representations on his behalf, and which then led to the issuing of a General Dealer’s Licence.

Losing one of our own, Dr Maponya’s death is not only a loss to his family, friends and the south African business community, but also to the TUT community.

Our deepest condolences to the Maponya family, friends, business associates and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.