PATRICE MOTSEPE RECEIVES 2014 FW DE KLERK GOODWILL AWARD
The FW de Klerk Foundation is delighted to announce that the recipient of the 4th annual FW de Klerk Goodwill Award is Mr Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM).
The Board of the FW de Klerk Foundation would like to commend Mr Motsepe for his outstanding role in the promotion of goodwill between South Africans. His contribution extends to the education and health sectors; the development and upliftment of women, youth, workers and the disabled; churches; the development of entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs; rural and urban upliftment; soccer, including youth soccer development; music and to other charities and foundations.
In addition to the excellent work done by the Motsepe Foundation (established in 1999), Mr Motsepe and his wife, Precious, joined the Giving Pledge - initiated by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates - in January 2013:
"Precious and I will contribute at least half of the funds generated by our family assets to the Motsepe Foundation to be used during our lifetimes and beyond; to improve the lifestyles and living conditions of the poor, disabled, unemployed, women, youth, workers and marginalised South Africans, Africans and people around the world. The Motsepe Foundation will continue to focus on initiatives and projects which will assist the beneficiaries to become self-sustaining and independent."
Mr Motsepe credits his parents for teaching him about business and entrepreneurship, and also about the duty of giving and caring for the poor and marginalized - the spirit of Ubuntu/Botho. This selfless and compassionate characteristic is part of the age-old African culture of giving and caring for your neighbour and other members of your community:
"Precious and I recognise the huge responsibility and duty that the Motsepe family has to poor, unemployed, disabled, women, youth, workers and marginalised South Africans. We also have an ongoing obligation of nation building, uniting black and white South Africans and contributing towards making Africa and the world a better place... The businesses that we started or participate in also became important instruments for job creation, education, healthcare, poverty alleviation and wealth creation."
Mr Motsepe is a member of the International Business Council (IBC) of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is made up of 100 of the most highly respected and influential chief executives from all industries, as well as a member of the JP Morgan International Council. He is currently the Non-executive Chairman of Harmony, the Deputy Chairman of Sanlam and is also the President of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.
The Board of the FW de Klerk Foundation established the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award in 2010 to give recognition to individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of goodwill between South Africans. Past winners include Dr Danny Jordaan, Pieter-Dirk Uys and Studietrust.
The FW de Klerk Goodwill Award will be presented to Patrice Motsepe, at the Foundation's annual Gala Dinner in Cape Town on 30 January 2014.
To find out more about Patrice Motsepe and the work of the Motsepe Foundation, visitwww.themotsepefoundation.org.
Statement issued by the FW de Klerk Foundation, January 30 2014
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