Richard Maponya facts for kids

Richard John Pelwana Maponya (born 24 December 1920, died 6 January 2020) was a famous South African businessman. He was known for building a successful business empire. He did this even though there were tough rules during apartheid. He also really wanted to help Soweto grow and become stronger economically. He received the Order of the Baobab, a high honour in South Africa.

Starting His Business Journey

Richard Maponya was born in Maponya Hill, north of Limpopo. He went to primary school in Spitzkop. Later, he finished his high school studies in Ga-Mamabolo.

When he was 24, during World War II, he moved to Alexandra township in Johannesburg. He took a job as a teacher there. Soon after, he found a job as a merchandiser in a big department store in Johannesburg.

Working in Retail

After just three months, he was promoted to a buyer for the store. He worked closely with his white manager. Together, they chose clothes for black customers. These clothes sold very well, making his manager a top salesperson.

His manager later became the CEO of the company. Even though they worked well together, the manager could not promote Maponya to an operational manager. This was because of the unfair racial discrimination laws in South Africa at the time.

First Steps as an Entrepreneur

To show his thanks, the manager sold Maponya some soiled clothing and fabric offcuts. Maponya then resold these items in Soweto. With the money he earned, he tried to open his own clothing store in Soweto. However, the government stopped him from getting a license. Even lawyers like Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela tried to help him, but it didn't work.

Instead, in the early 1950s, Maponya and his wife, Marina, started the Dube Hygienic Dairy. Marina was a cousin of Nelson Mandela. This dairy hired boys on bicycles to deliver milk to homes in Soweto. Many people in Soweto did not have electricity or fridges back then. By the 1970s, Maponya's businesses had grown a lot. He owned several general stores, car dealerships, and even petrol stations.

His Role in Politics

During the 1960s and 1970s, Richard Maponya was part of the Urban Bantu Council. This council was set up by the apartheid government. In 1977, he resigned from the council. This happened after young people linked to the African National Congress (ANC) asked him to leave. Soon after, the council offices were burned down.

Supporting Black Businesses

In the 1960s, he helped start the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc). He was also its first president. He also founded and chaired the African Chamber of Commerce. These groups aimed to support and grow black-owned businesses.

A Bold Statement

One of his most famous political actions involved horse racing. Richard Maponya was the first black person in South Africa to be allowed to choose his own horse-racing colours. He chose green, gold, and black. These were the colours of the African National Congress (ANC), a political party fighting against apartheid. This was a very brave choice at the time.

Building Maponya Mall

On 27 September 2007, Richard Maponya opened the Maponya Mall in Soweto. This was a huge achievement. The mall has more than 200 stores and a cinema complex.

Maponya first got the land for the mall in 1979. At first, it was a 100-year lease. After many tries, he finally bought the land completely in 1994. It was hard to find money to build the mall. Eventually, Maponya's company worked with Zenprop Property Holdings. Together, they made his dream of Maponya Mall come true.

His Later Years and Legacy

Richard Maponya passed away on 6 January 2020. He was 99 years old. He was buried at the Westpark Cemetery on 14 January 2020. His life showed how one person could achieve great things. He built a business empire and helped his community, even during difficult times.

Awards and Honours

• Grand Counselor of the Baobab: He received this high national honour in April 2007.
• Honorary Doctorate: The Durban University of Technology gave him this special degree in April 2015.
• Pioneer Award: The South African Council of Shopping Centres gave him this award in 2013.

See also

• Soweto