Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep loss over the passing of Black-business pioneer and co-founder of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) Sam Motsuenyane at the age of 97.
Ramaphosa issued a statement on Tuesday morning, offering his condolences and those of the government to the family, friends and associates of the veteran business leader, farmer and philanthropist.
Motsuenyane was born on the 11 February 1927 at the Eignaarsfontein farm in Potchefstroom North West, and would go on to co-found the NAFCOC in 1964, with many calling him a beacon of integrity and innovation, championing ethical entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
He was an Esteemed Member of the National Order of the Baobab (Gold) in recognition of his significant personal achievements, which included leading the establishment of African Bank, and the inspiration and leadership he provided in fostering the development of Black-owned businesses and economic liberation more broadly.
Motsuenyane retired from NAFCOC in 1992 and joined parliament where he was appointed leader of the house of senate and later the first ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1996 to 2000. and as South Africa’s first ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia he was also accredited as an ambassador to Oman, Yemen, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The President said Motsuenyane’s life and passing is a reminder to South Africa of the path of transforming the economy and the strength and durability of the people in the face of oppression.
“The passing of Dr Sam Motsuenyane 60 years after the establishment of NAFCOC is a profound reminder of the breadth, durability and longevity of his vision and passion for self-reliance and development. The remarkable sweep of his life as an entrepreneur, leader of organised business, parliamentarian and diplomat among other roles embodied our resilient national character and values of ubuntu,” Ramaphosa said.
The President said that Motsuenyane’s philosophy of self-sufficiency is today entrenched in the constitutional right of South Africans to freely choose their trade, occupation or profession and in the socio-economic rights that the constitution safeguards.
“Dr Motsuenyane’s passing on the eve of the 2024 National Orders Ceremony causes us to recall the honour bestowed on him in 2002 as the nation paid tribute to an outstanding patriot and source of inspiration for our then fledgling democracy. May his soul rest in peace,” Ramaphosa said.
The Dr Sam Motsuenyane Foundation praised the business stalwart’s contributions, with executive director Themba Mathibe saying that he played a significant role in the development of Black business in the country.
“Through their perseverance and passion to be economically self-sufficient, they were able to mobilise Black communities to contribute towards the R1 million that was required to capitalise the bank for it to open its first branch in Ga-Rankuwa in 1975,” Mathibe said.
Public Interest SA chairperson and chief entrepreneur at the Institute of Chartered Entrepreneurs Tebogo Klaas said Motsuenyane earned the moniker “Father of Black business” for his crucial contributions to provide financial resources and capability to Black business within the country.
“As the sun sets on Ntate Motsuenyane’s earthly journey, we find solace in the knowledge that his legacy will continue to shape the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa,” Klaas said.
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