| | South Africa's Richest Black Billionaire
It was said by the liberals and the communists that the
reason for bringing about black rule in South Africa
(and Africa) was to uplift the black poor. But in
reality, nothing really changed for them - in fact,
things are mostly MUCH WORSE now. But the real
beneficiaries of black rule were the new, minority,
the Black Super Elite - who are often richer than
whites ever were, and who do virtually nothing for
their fellow blacks, except tell them how the whites
did them in. This is the pattern across Africa.
Race has never left politics. It has merely changed from
white to black. Nowadays people can make millions, even
billions just from having a black skin. With even the
slightest smidgeon of talent, a black person can get
extremely rich, with NO CAPITAL!
Here is how it works. It is forced upon us by law to
not only have a certain percent of non-whites in
companies, but any business which does not have
partial black ownership is discriminated against.
For example: No company solely owned by whites can
tender for lucrative government contracts. One of
the requirements of the tendering process is to
prove that one (a) has black partners (b) is
engaged in uplifting the blacks, etc.
So what happens is this: Across the board, businesses
are seeking any black partners they can find - in any
way, shape or form. These businesses then take black
"investors" on board who don't have a cent. All the
blacks must do is carry out various duties (normally
marketing) and then they are literally "given" huge
holdings worth millions - or in some cases - maybe
billions!
For example, I have a friend who works for an
advertising company which is owned by a white woman
who won the businesswoman of the year award. She realised
she needed a black partner. So she signed up one of
Winnie Mandela's daughters and gave her a 26% shareholding,
literally for nothing - as long as she brings in business
for the firm.
The reason blacks get such huge percentages worth vast
amounts of money is because part of the government requirement
is to see that blacks own a certain percentage of the business.
Blacks are promoted, given huge shares in businesses, etc
just to make up government quotas. Existing businesses
buy up the shells of failed black empowerment businesses
as tax write-offs, and to help them make up quotas so they
can get contracts.
An example of a black man with no money who became a
millionaire overnight was Cyril Ramaphosa, of the ANC.
He left politics, and within a year or two, from nothing,
was worth R25 million. How do these people make so much
money? They are literally given massive shareholdings in
public companies just so that they can show some black
faces on their board of directors - and that's pretty
much it. It is part of the "cost of business" these days.
Blacks are used, not just to make up quotas, but also
because of their political and other contacts.
The following story is about Patrice Motsepe, who is
South Africa's richest black billionaire. Clearly, he
has talent, and has a good attitude to life. But, take
note also, how, from nothing, he suddenly has stakes
worth billions in the world's 5th largest gold mining
company and in Sanlam an insurance giant (created
originally by Afrikaners). He says a lot of interesting
things - but as he says himself "he has to keep a lot
of people happy" - so just how many of his patronizing
statements, especially towards Afrikaners are sincere
is anyone's guess.
But this story will give you something of an insight into
how a new Black Super-Elite is created. Zimbabwe also
had a Black Super-Elite created in this way, and look
where they led the country? If you think blacks can't
exploit and subjugate other blacks worse than whites
did, then you don't know Africa.
The entire magazine article is reproduced below. Read
it and decide for yourself if this guy got lucky because
he has a black skin.
Patrice Motsepe & his wife Dr Precious Moloi
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| | The entire story is reproduced from
YOU magazine in South Africa. The original title was:
The Man with the Golden Touch
"The new face of Sanlam," the headlines proclaim. On
the accompanying photo, smiling between the cupped
hands of the Sanlam logo, are Dr Johan van Zyl, executive
head of Sanlam, and Patrice Motsepe. Anew face indeed for
a traditionally white Afrikaner corporation. Patrice
Motsepe is from Ubuntu Botho Consortium which has just
acquired a 10 per cent interest in Sanlam. Meet SA's
black billionaire," screams nother headline. But just
who is this black businessman who, after a complex
transaction, will eventually acquire a 10 to 12 percent
interest in Sanlam and will be the biggest shareholder in
this life assurance giant? Who is the man who'll in total
cough up R1,3 billion? After three days and lots of effort
I finally track him down. On Saturday he was at soccer -
his great love after rugby. He'd gone to see Kaizer
Chiefs beat Silver Stars and wasn't available.
On Sunday he had to attend a family gathering outside
Pretoria regarding his mom's death in October. In the
afternoon he was off to watch his own team, Sundowns,
play the Black Leopards. Once again not available.
On Monday morning his first meeting was at 6am and his
entire day was fully booked. American businessmen were
flying in. Others were arriving from Cape Town.
But in the middle of all his cellphone calls he juggles
his diary and fits me in. We meet at his home in
Johannesburg's northern suburbs. No further jetails
because Patrice and his family are extremely private.
The glittering blue pool hugging the patio at right
angles has two Kreepys. And the long table on the sun
patio has place for 14. When their families come to
visit there are a lot of people, he explains.
I immediately notice his Afrikaans. It's flawless and
without accent. He enjoys speaking it too. Although I
try to put him at ease by speaking English, he switches
back to Afrikaans.
He grew up in Pretoria where his parents lived but when he
was five his dad sent him to school in Aliwal North.
"There were two reasons: he wanted to give me a good
education and, just as important, he wanted me to speak
proper Afrikaans. That was in 1968 and he enrolled me at
the St Joseph Mission School.
"I was there for ten years - and they were ten difficult
years. Do you know how it feels to go to bed on an empty
stomach? The food was terrible. I really had a hard time."
He intentionally tries to speak Afrikaans as much as
possible these days.
"From five to 15 at boarding school I spoke better
Afrikaans than any other language. Since then I've lived
and worked in an English milieu so I grab every chance I
get to keep my Afrikaans alive. I love the language."
He comes from the royal Motsepe tribe, established at
Mmakau in Ga-rankuwa north of Pretoria centuries ago.
His uncle is head of the tribe.
"Are you a prince?" I ask.
"That's what they say but I don't want to talk about it."
The Motsepes are Tswana but, Patrice says, "rather leave
it there. It's politically incorrect and irrelevant in
this new South Africa we're building to talk about a black
or white person or what tribe people come from."
His first name comes from statesman Patrice Lumumba, first
prime minister of the independent Republic of the Congo.
His second name, Tlhopie (or "Kloppie" as he was called
at boarding school), comes from Tlhopane which means "the
chosen one".
Patrice (who turns 42 next month) and wife Dr Precious
Moloi have three sons, Tlhopie (13), Kgosi (7) and Kabelo (1).
The stylish and petite Dr Moloi is well known in her own
right. Until the birth of her youngest son she had her
own practice in Johannesburg and wrote medical articles
for our sister magazine "True Love" and is chairman of
the SA Cancer Association.
Patrice reveals his interest in business started when he
was a child. His dad, ABC Motsepe, started his own business
in Garankuwa years ago and by the 70s was known as one of
the most successful black businessmen in the country.
"When I came home from boarding school for the holidays I'd
rather work behind the counter at my dad's shop than play
outside like the other kids.
"I must have been about eight when my dad said one day,
'We make so much money when you're behind the counter you
should take over the business when you grow up'.
"But it was hard work, from 6am to 8pm. I soon realised
I needed to choose a career that would keep me away from
that shop!
"That's how I came to decide when was only eight that I'd
become a lawyer.
"The fact is I've had the entrepreneurial spirit since
I was a child. It was part of the way I grew up."
His entire life was focused on one goal - not only to do
well when he tackled something but to be the best. And
that took hard work.
"Even at school I had to be first. I was miserable if I
came second or maybe third.
"For me it was always about hard work, blood and sweat and
coming out on top.
"One of my first goals was to be a good lawyer. In 1994 I
became the first black lawyer to be made a partner at the
firm Bowman Gilfillan.
"Then I suddenly got restless and had to find a new goal.
"My shop work from my childhood came back to haunt me. So I decided:
now I have to become an entrepreneur and tackle something on my own."
That was the start of his entry into mining. He specialised in
mining law and developed an interest in the industry. He'd always
dreamt about founding a world-class gold-mining company. Without
money or experience it was easier said than done. But after
struggling for five years his company won its first contract
for small-scale mining activity. That was barely nine years ago.
Today he's the biggest single shareholder of the world's fifth-largest
gold mining company.
His firm, African Rainbow Minerals, controls 43 per cent of a
mining conglomerate worth more than R10 billion. Earlier this
year his ARMgold merged with Harmony and was listed on the stock
exchange. His family trust owns 55 per cent of this company,
valued at R7 billion.
In his study are several awards, among them last year's Sunday
Times business leader of the year and South Africa's entrepreneur
of the year awards.
PATRICE is relentlessly positive about everything South African.
What about the previous regime and the apartheid era?
"I'm often so politically incorrect I have to watch my words," he says.
But then he continues: "We should focus more on the good stuff.
One of the most important things is there have always - even in
the past - been good relations between all South Africans.
"We have to separate politics and relationships between people.
We should think about the future, hold on to the good from the
past and build on it. We mustn't drag the mistakes of the past with us.
"I'm not interested in that. I'm interested in the country we're
building for all our children, white and black - a country with a future."
That's why he decided to aquire an interest in Sanlam, he says.
He admires this company, especially the way it uplifted poor Afrikaners.
"I can learn from them. Sanlam's future is everyone's future.
"An Afrikaans businessman once told me, 'You black businessmen
must learn from our mistakes. Don't make the same ones.'
I still remember those words.
"Today we live in a democracy and are surrounded by beautiful
developments. Our kids don't see colour any more - and that's
what makes South Africa so beautiful and unique."
Does politics have a place in his future plans?
"No. I'll never get involved. I'm simply too incorrect! As a
businessman I have to keep everyone happy.
"But I also have a dream. That our children, black and white,
will join hands and believe with confidence in South Africa as
their country of the future."
He smiles broadly as he adds: "You know, my eldest's best
friend is nogal a Botha! And he often spends the night with us."
Then he hits the nail even more firmly on the head: "And I
support the Blue Bulls! I played rugby at Aliwal and I'm mad
about the sport. I'm a Blue Bull these days. One of my dreams
is to get involved with a rugby club.
Watch this space ...
Source: YOU Magazine
Date: 18 December 2003.
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