Bridgette Radebe was a pioneering entrepreneur who made her mark in the South African mining industry.
She is the founder, executive chairman and CEO of Mmakau Mining, a company that explores and produces various minerals such as platinum, gold and chromium.
She is also a prominent advocate for the empowerment of women and black communities in the mining sector, serving as president of the South African Mining Development Association and a member of the Business Council BRICS.
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- Full name: Bridgette Motsepe Radebe
- Date of birth: February 26, 1960
- Age: 64 years old
- Female
- Place of birth: South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Businesswoman, mining tycoon
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Augustine Motsepe and Key Motsepe
- Siblings: Patrice Motsepe and Tshepo Motsepe
- Spouse: Jeff Radebe
- Children: Mandisa Radebe, Vukani Radebe and Malaika Radebe.
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: 100 million USD
Early life and education
Bridgette Radebe, of Tswana descent, was born on February 26, 1960 in South Africa. She is the eldest of three children of Augustine Motsepe and Key Motsepe, both of whom are teachers.
She grew up in Soweto, a town that was a hotbed of protest and anti-apartheid activism. She attended the University of Botswana from 1973 to 1977, where she studied commerce.
Personal life
Bridgette Radebe is married to Jeff Radebe, a former minister to the presidency and veteran leader of the ANC.
They married in 2000 after a long relationship that began in the 1980s. They have three children: Mandisa, Vukani and Malaika.
Bridgette is also the sister-in-law of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is married to her sister, Tshepo Motsepe, a medical doctor.
Her brother, Patrice Motsepe, is a billionaire businessman and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.
Career
Bridgette Radebe started as a conventional miner in the 1980s, managing individual mining operations and producing materials for larger mining operations in South Africa.
She faced many challenges and discrimination as a black woman in a male-dominated industry, but she persevered and proved her skills and expertise. .
She founded Mmakau Mining in 1995 and became one of the first black female mine owner/operators in Africa.
Her company became a major player in the mining sector, with interests in platinum, gold, chromium, coal, uranium and exploration.
She is also president of the Mining Development Association of South Africa, which promotes the interests of black-owned and junior mining companies.
She is also a member of the BRICS Business Council, a platform that facilitates trade and investment between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
prize
Bridgette Radebe has received many awards and recognition for her achievements in business and leadership, such as:
- The 2008 International Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented by the Foundation for Global Democracy.
- Mining Pioneer Award from the South African Department of Minerals and Energy.
- Forbes Africa’s richest women in 2012.
- The 2014 African Women Leader of the Year Award is presented by the African Leadership Network.
- 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of African Women in Mining.
Net value
According to Forbes Africa, Bridgette Radebe’s net worth is estimated at $100 million.
She is one of Africa’s richest women and one of the most influential figures in the mining industry.
Argumentative
Bridgette Radebe has been embroiled in a number of controversies, especially regarding Botswana, where she has been accused of money laundering, funding opposition parties and meddling in the country’s politics.
She has denied these allegations and challenged the government of Botswana to provide evidence for their claims.
She also hired a British law firm and a business intelligence firm to conduct a forensic investigation, concluding that the allegations were false and baseless.
Her involvement in Botswana strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and Botswana and prompted President Ramaphosa to send a special envoy to defuse the situation.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
