The late business magnate, Richard Maponya, will be honored at a memorial address under the banner of the African National Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc) at Nicro Hall, Block C in Botshabelo, Free State, from noon Saturday.

The Chairman of the City Boundary Council, Thabo Manyoni will give a memorial lecture.

Manyoni, who is also vying to become the new ANC president in the Free State, is the former mayor of the troubled metro municipality Mangaung.

Manyoni said he was invited to Nafcoc’s memorial conference because he believes in the black vision of business success.

“Mr. Maponya was a pioneer in the black trade despite the harsh realities he faced in his quest for success.

He never depended on government tenders to build his legacy; therefore, I declare that the young entrepreneurs of our country should understand the bravery he has shown in building his business empire.

It was an honor for me to be the speaker of the memorial and I still believe that many young black entrepreneurs can learn a lot from what Mr. Maponya has achieved.

“We need to encourage young black entrepreneurs to make an effort and make their presence felt in the business world without relying on government, but really on acumen,” says Manyoni. in their business,” says Manyoni.

Maponya was the founding president of Nafcoc, a business organization founded in 1964-64 to unite black entrepreneurs, deprived of opportunities under draconian apartheid regime laws.

One of the landmark projects he built was the iconic Maponya Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in Soweto. Maponya is also the recipient of the Baobab Medal, an honor bestowed by the President of South Africa for his services to business and the economy.

The businessman, who also served as a trustee of the South Africa Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Urban Foundation, passed away on January 6, 2020 at the age of 99.