Richard Maponya Age, Wife, Net worth, Biography, Family & Death

Richard Maponya (born December 24, 1920) was a South African business magnate and icon for entrepreneurs. He was the one who built the famous “Maponya Mall” in Pimville, South Africa. On the 6 January 2020, Richard John Pelwana Maponya died at the age of 99 years.

At the age of 24 years, Richard started his career as a teacher. After this, he worked in a clothing store as a seller. His wife is the cousin of Nelson Mandela.

When Richard was in the early ’30s of his age, he started a dairy business by the name Dube Hygienic Dairy. According to this project, the unemployed young Africans had to deliver milk from door to door in their bicycles. Maponya even had a BMW franchise.

Death Cause

The great African Businessman, who built the famous Maponya Mall, died at a rich age of 99 years. It was the early morning of 6^th December in the year when the news about the death of Richard Maponya came.

He died at his residence in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, South Africa. The reason for his death is not clear but it is confirmed that it was a natural death.

Childhood, Parents, Siblings & Early Life

The famous king of the black retail market of South Africa, Richard Maponya (age 99 years, as in 2019) was born in the year 1920. He hails from a financial mediocre family. Much information is not available about his father, mother, and siblings.

He did his schooling from a local high school in Thlabine, Lenyenye, South Africa. Most of his childhood happened in his hometown.

Physical Stats, How tall & Appearance

He was an African guy with a tall body structure. Richard Maponya had a height of 6 feet 1 inch and his weight is 85 kg.

Before death, he had very little hair on his head as by the age his hair growth was very less. He had black eyes. The man usually appeared wearing a corporate suit.

Personal Life, Girlfriend, Spouse & Children

At the time when he was in his teens, he met a girl named Marina. Sooner they became friends and started dating each other. Later after an affair in the year 1934 on 29^th November, Richard Maponya got married to his girlfriend Marina.

After marriage, they started living in Johannesburg. The couple got blessed with a daughter. The child got named Chichi.

Chichi is a very intelligent as well as very talented girl. In an interview with Forbes, he told that when his daughter was in his school he used to send her to meetings and thus has developed her skills as an entrepreneur.

Richard even told the interviewer that Chichi has been a very loving and wonderful child right from her childhood.

Some Lesser Known Facts about Richard Maponya

Career & Net worth

His marketing skills were so impressive that the BMW Company was not able to give him the stock as per requirement. Sooner as his business grew he became the owner of multiple retail stores in Africa.

Before his death, Richard Maponya’s net worth is estimated to be 400 million South African Rand which is equivalent to $28 million USD.

His daughter Chichi is currently handling his business. The lady is very smart and intelligent. She is involved in business matters right from a very small age.

Richard acquired acres of land in 1979. Later he tried to build his dream project which was a Mall with around 200 shops and other facilities. But according to government restrictions he had to struggle for many years to set up mall there.

Finally, he had to collaborate with Zenprop Property Holdings and after a mall named Maponya mall became a reality.

The worth of the mall in the year is said to be 600 million Rand. Also, it is worth mentioning here that Maponya was one of the richest persons in Africa.

Trivia

• Richard Maponya was awarded the Grand Counselor of Baobab in the year 2007.
• He was honored with a doctorate from DUT in the year 2015.
• His wife is the cousin of Nelson Mandela.
• At his house, there are photos of him with persons like Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela, etc.

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• During his lifetime he became a mentor to many other businessmen and also inspired many.
• As a Capricorn, he was very energetic and very determined.
• He was an art lover and according to Forbes interviewers his villa is filled with paintings and other art pieces.