Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a prominent South African billionaire businessman, mining magnate, and football administrator.
Born on January 28, 1962, in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs and the continent’s first black billionaire.
He serves as the founder and non-executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), a major diversified mining company with interests in gold, platinum, ferrous metals, and base metals.
Motsepe is also the owner of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and has been the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2021.
Siblings
Patrice comes from a large family of seven children born to Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe, a teacher-turned-small businessman who owned a popular spaza shop near mine workers, and Margaret Martha Keneilwe Motsepe.
His well-known sisters include Tshepo Motsepe, a physician and businesswoman who is married to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, making her the First Lady of South Africa, and Bridgette Radebe, a successful mining entrepreneur who is recognized as South Africa’s first black female mining magnate and is married to former government minister Jeff Radebe.
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Career
Motsepe’s career began in law after earning a BA from the University of Swaziland and an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 1994, he made history as the first black partner at the prestigious Johannesburg law firm Bowman Gilfillan, where he specialized in mining and business law.
That same year, he transitioned into entrepreneurship by founding Future Mining, a contract mining services company that emphasized profit-sharing with workers.
Seizing opportunities during South Africa’s post-apartheid mining industry restructuring, Motsepe established African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) in 1997.
He acquired marginal mining shafts from major companies like AngloGold, turning them into profitable operations.
ARM grew into a leading diversified mining group through strategic mergers, including with Harmony Gold.
Beyond mining, Motsepe has investments in financial services, energy, and other sectors through entities like Ubuntu-Botho Investments and African Rainbow Capital.
He also expanded into sports by acquiring Mamelodi Sundowns in 2003, transforming it into one of South Africa’s top clubs, and later taking on leadership roles in African football governance.
Accolades
Motsepe was named South Africa’s Business Leader of the Year in 2002 and won the Ernst & Young Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
In 2008, he became the first black African to appear on the Forbes billionaire list.
He has been a consistent presence on rich lists, often ranked as South Africa’s richest or among the top black businessmen.
Motsepe is also celebrated for his commitment to giving back.
In 2013, he and his wife became the first Africans to sign The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half their wealth to charitable causes.
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