DR PATRICE MOTSEPE(61)
LLB and Doctorate of Commerce Honoris Causa (University of Witwatersrand), Doctorate of Commerce Honoris Causa (Stellenbosch University), Doctor of Management and Commerce Honoris Causa (University of Fort Hare) and BA Law and Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa (University of eSwatini, formerly the University of Swaziland)
In 1994 Dr Motsepe founded Future Mining which grew rapidly to become a successful contract mining company. He then formed ARMgold in 1997 which listed on the JSE in 2002.
Dr Motsepe led ARMgold into a merger with Avmin and Harmony Gold in 2003. Following the merger Avmin changed its name to African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and he became the founder and Executive Chairman of ARM.
Dr Motsepe was voted South Africa’s Business Leader of the Year in 2002 by the chief executive officers of the top 100 companies in South Africa. In the same year, he was the winner of the Ernst & Young Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
In 2017 Forbes Magazine commemorated its 100th Anniversary and honoured Dr Motsepe as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in the world alongside many prominent global business leaders. He is the only person living on the African continent to be recognised and honoured as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in the world.
Dr Motsepe and his wife, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe joined the Giving Pledge in January 2013 which was started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Dr Motsepe committed to give half of the wealth, which is owned by the Motsepe family to the poor and for philanthropic purposes during his lifetime and that of his wife and beyond. In April 2019, Forbes Magazine stated that US$500 million was donated by the Motsepe family to the poor and for philanthropic purposes.
In March 2020 Dr Motsepe announced that his family, in partnership with companies and organisations that they are associated with, including ARM, pledge R1 billion (US$57 million) to assist with South Africa and Africa’s response to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Motsepe is a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Global Network Advisory Board of the WEF Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the WEF International Business Council (IBC) which is made up of 100 of the most highly respected and influential chief executives from all industries. He is also a member of the Harvard Global Advisory Council and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).
Dr Patrice Motsepe was a partner in one of the largest law firms in South Africa, Bowmans and was also a visiting attorney in the USA with the law firm, McGuireWoods.
His past business responsibilities include being the President of National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) from 2002 to 2006, Founding President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) from January 2004 to May 2008, Founding President of Chambers of Commerce and Industry South Africa (CHAMSA), President of the Black Business Council (BBC), and the Founding Chairman of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Business Council in March 2013.
Dr Motsepe is a recipient of numerous business and leadership awards and recognitions including:
• Sunday Times Lifetime Achiever Award, 2017
• Harvard University Veritas Award for Excellence in Global Business and Philanthropy, 2014
• BRICS Business Council, Outstanding Leadership Award, 2014
• The Black Management Forum (BMF) Presidential Award for Business Excellence, 2010
• McGuireWoods Outstanding Alumnus Awards, 2009
• African Business Roundtable, USA, Entrepreneur & Freedom of Trade Award, 2009
• South African Jewish Report, Special Board Members Award for Outstanding Achievement, 2004
• Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, MS Louw Award for Exceptional Business Achievement, 2003
• World Economic Forum Global Leader of Tomorrow, 1999.
Dr Motsepe is the founder and Chairman of Ubuntu-Botho Investments, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), African Rainbow Energy and Power (AREP) and UBI General Partner Proprietary Limited. He is also the Deputy Chairman of Sanlam and Chairman of Harmony Gold.
He is the President of CAF (Confederation of African Football) and Vice President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). He was previously Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.