Bridgette Radebe: entrepreneur who defied legislation to build her own mining company.
South African business woman who defied legislation during apartheid to start her own mining company and becoming one of Africa’s prominent women.
Bridgette Radebe (née Motsepe) is a prominent South African businesswoman, widely recognized as one of Africa’s first black female mine owner. She was born on 26 February 1960. She is of Tswana descent. She comes from an influential family. Her brother, Patrice Motsepe, is a billionaire mining magnate and her sister is Tshepo Motsepe first lady of South Africa.
She entered the mining industry in the 1980s as a contract miner during apartheid in South African. This was period where indigenous people more especially women were restricted from owning mining rights or working in mines. In spite of these restrictions, she managed individual shaft mining operations and produced minerals for larger mining houses, gaining critical expertise and industry knowledge.
Radebe’s early work which involved building and managing mines and shafts for major mining companies, laid the basis for starting her own company. Coming from an entrepreneurial background and inspired by her family’s resistance to oppressive laws, Radebe defied exclusionary legislation and founded Mmakau Mining in the 1980(s)
The company initially operated as a contract mining company. Overtime, with Radebe’s leadership, it expanded to own and develop its own mines, focusing on mining platinum, gold, chrome, and later coal and uranium.
Today, Mmakau’s prime focus is on investing in sustainable mining ventures. This is through community-driven involvement, which provides for wealth creation through empowerment procurement practices, managed empowerment partnering and entrepreneur development.
Achievements
1.She is the President of the South African Mining Development Association (SAMDA) and a senior member of the New Africa Mining Fund, which supports junior and empowerment mining companies
2.Radebe serves on the board of Sappi and has been a non-executive director at African Rainbow Capital Investments
3.She played a key role in shaping South Africa’s mining legislation, including the Minerals and Petroleum Development Bill, the Royalty Bill, and the Empowerment Mining Charter, working closely with government, labour unions, and industry stakeholders.
4.Radebe has received several honours, including the International Businessperson of the Year Award (2008), the Onkgopotse Tiro Excellence Award, and was named among Forbes Africa’s 20 Most Powerful Women.
Personal life
Bridgette is married to Jeff Radebe, a senior ANC figure and former Minister in the Presidency.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Botswana, with a background in accounting and business management.
Controversies
In 2019 Bridgette was accused of money laundering by the Botswana government. She would challenge these allegations by asking authorities to provide evidence.
Networth
Her networth is estimated to be within $100–$700 million, with $700 million being the highest verifiable estimate.
