Funeral of Ntate Richard Maponya underway at the University of Johannesburg’s Imbizo Hall
Presidents, ambassadors and entrepreneurs join Sowetans to bid farewell to the grandparent of black business.
The funeral service of the grandfather of black business, Richard Maponya is underway at the University of Johannesburg’s Imbizo Hall, Soweto Urban reports.
Ntate Maponya who passed away last week at the age of 99 has been given a state funeral and president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy today.
Speakers have praised Dr. Maponya for uplIfting Soweto through his entrepreneurial spirit and Ubuntu.
“He was my mentor and I learned a lot from him growing up in Dube,” said television personality and businesswomen Felicia Mabuza-Suttle.
She added that she owes her big break and move to the US to Nante Maponya.
Boniwe Maponya read the obituary and thanked Ntante Maponya for being a great father and mentor to them as his children.
The funeral of this business icon is attended by high profile individuals from the government and the private sector.
Notable faces include former heads of state President Thabo Mbele, Kgalema Motlante, cabinet ministers Nkosazane Dlamini-Zuma, Fikile Mbalula to mention just a few.
Business people such as Patrice Motsepe and Boby Motaung have also graced the funeral.
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