It is with heartfelt regret that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has learned about the passing of South African entrepreneur and property developer, Dr Richard Maponya on Monday, 06 January 2020.

His selfless dedication to revitalising township entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship has resulted in many thriving youth startups in and around Soweto, and across the greater Johannesburg. In 2014 the UJ Centre for Entrepreneurship had the honour and privilege to partner with Dr Richard Maponya, this marked the beginning of a journey that consistently focused on impacting entrepreneurs through a series of annual Think Tanks, Dr Richard Maponya Lecture and the annual Dr Richard Maponya Soweto Conference. Through the partnership with UJ, Dr Maponya aimed to invest back in Soweto business community and reignite the entrepreneurial fire in the upcoming generation.

Dr Maponya, created a thriving business empire despite Apartheid restrictions at the time. He was a life-long servant of a democratic South Africa; his contribution to South African development of several business enterprises has been highly significant.

Also read: Opinion: Richard Maponya, the Lion of the North