Few names in South Africa command as much respect – across boardrooms, church pews, sports fields, and rural villages – as that of Dr Patrice Motsepe.
In a nation hungry for leaders who walk their talk, Motsepe has carved out a unique space as a business titan, philanthropist, and community builder whose work ripples far beyond the balance sheets of his companies.
Motsepe’s passion for African unity and youth empowerment is perhaps most visible in his stewardship of African football.
As president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2021, Motsepe has helped secure unprecedented sponsorship deals, including a $200-million partnership with TotalEnergies for the Africa Cup of Nations. Under his leadership, CAF has enhanced transparency in its operations and increased investment in grassroots football, with a $10-million annual fund for youth and women’s football development across 54 African countries.
His business acumen is legendary. Through African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), he has driven transformation in South Africa’s mining sector, championing black ownership and local job creation. ARM’s investment in renewable energy is a clear sign of Motsepe’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive economy.
Motsepe’s influence extends well beyond business and sport.
As a respected member of international bodies such as the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, he has been instrumental in promoting African interests on the world stage. In 2021, when tensions flared between South Africa and the US over trade and diplomatic matters, Motsepe’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy helped restore dialogue, leading to renewed investment commitments and trade partnerships that safeguard thousands of South African jobs.
Perhaps what sets Motsepe apart is his uncompromising stance on crime and corruption – issues that continue to erode public trust and hamper economic growth.
As ARM’s chair, he has implemented industry-leading anti-corruption protocols, ensuring that all suppliers, partners, and employees adhere to strict
ethical standards.
This ethos permeates the Motsepe Foundation’s work, where all projects are independently audited and subject to strict public reporting – a level of accountability rare in the philanthropic sector.
It is no secret that Motsepe is a longstanding member of the ANC. His support for the party is not just financial but philosophically rooted in the ANC’s founding values of unity, social justice, and economic freedom for all South Africans.
Motsepe has publicly supported the ANC’s renewal, calling for ethical leadership and a focus on youth empowerment, skills development, and economic inclusion as the keys to long-term sustainability.
In a world where business leaders are often distant figures, Motsepe stands as a refreshing exception. He is a leader who listens to the heartbeat of his country, who shows up during disasters, invests in the future, and insists on integrity at every turn.
Whether rebuilding a school after a flood, empowering a rural soccer team, or negotiating on behalf of South Africa in global forums, Motsepe’s actions speak louder than any slogan.
As South Africa navigates the complexities of economic renewal and community upliftment, we can look to leaders such as Motsepe for proof that success and service are not mutually exclusive. In his hands, wealth is a tool for transformation, and leadership is measured not
only by profit but by progress.
If we are to build the South Africa envisioned in our Constitution, a nation united, prosperous, and just, then we need more leaders who are, like Motsepe, deeply rooted in their communities and utterly unafraid to get their hands dirty for the sake of a better tomorrow.
- Mnisi is head of media and PR at PM27 Campaign
