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After many twists and turns, the CAN finally opens this Sunday, in Cameroon. If the competition is maintained, it is in particular thanks to the pugnacity of the new president of CAF, Patrice Motsepe. The one who will celebrate his 60 years at the end of the month is ranked ninth largest fortune in Africa, with a heritage estimated at three billion dollars according to the latest classification of the magazine ” Forbes ». A career in the mining sector, in particular, that nothing foreshadowed. Her portrait signed Charlotte Cosset.
Patrice Motsepe grew up in a Soweto ghetto reserved for black people. It was before the end of apartheid. Her family is relatively well-off, so she runs a small business.
He remembers this time at the Youth Connect Africa Summit in 2017: “ My dad used to wake us up at 5am in the morning. We got in a truck and went to buy fruit and vegetables at the market in Pretoria. Patrice Motsepe has always been in business, he believes. Behind the family counter, often until late at night, he learned what “ profitability », He says.
From law to mining
He and these six brothers and sisters attend private Catholic schools. Patrice Motsepe studied art before taking an interest in mining and business law… He became the first black partner in a large law firm. Then invests in the mining sector. He founded Future Mining in 1994, then African Rainbow Minerals Gold Limited in 1997.
Adama Soro is the president of the chamber of mines of Burkina Faso, an expert in the mining sector. ” I didn’t hear he was dragging pots and pans “, He assures when asked regarding the billionaire’s ethics. ” What is highlighted a lot is his career, he continues. And then, it is a must for those who know regarding mining investments. He did a lot of mergers and acquisitions, he took stakes through his company ARM in a lot of companies as well. He even made joint ventures with major majors ».
In his rare public interventions Patrice Motsepe maintains the image of self made man and invites African youth to follow his example. ” Work hard. With work and sacrifice you can not only make your dreams come true, but you will also find great success. He encourages during a television show.
He becomes a leading figure in South Africa. He’s building an empire. He becomes one of the figures of black economic empowerment post-apartheid underlines Adama Soro. Some of these detractors put forward this argument, but the president of the chamber of mines underlines that ” he also implemented a lot », In particular through its foundation.
Sam Kunti is a journalist contributing to the magazine Forbes. He has been following Patrice Motsepe’s career for several years: “ He revived a number of mines outside of Johannesburg and built his empire on it. Little is known regarding exactly how he did this. »
One businessman discreet
No known scandal, no controversy. Patrice Motsepe remains removed from politics, although one of his sisters is married to President Ramaphosa, and another to a senior ANC executive. And despite his great notoriety, the billionaire conducts his business with the utmost discretion. The key to success according to some.
Chad Clarke is a financial advisor in South Africa, he has long been a sports journalist. ” He is not a public figure. He conducts his business in private and he doesn’t like media attention very much. He doesn’t give a lot of interviews. »
Passionate regarding football, in 2004 he acquired the Mamelodi Sundowns. “ He runs his club like a business. He invests a lot, but in return he is also very demanding. He has a very modern approach to footbal “, He assures on the basis of his exchanges with the members of the club.
In 2020, the African Football Confederation is looking for a new president. The organization is then affected by financial scandals, the profile of the businessman raises certain hopes. Last March, he took the head of CAF.
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