Anton Rupert, South African industrialist, philanthropist

JOHANNESBURG – Anton Rupert, a South African industrialist and philanthropist who opposed apartheid’s inhumanities and used his wealth to fund environmental and educational projects, died at the age of 89 last week.

Rupert rose from humble beginnings to become one of South Africa’s most successful industrialists, playing a leading role in the country’s mining, tobacco, banking, media, beverage, food and health care industries. His family features in the Forbes list of the world’s 500 wealthiest families with assets estimated at US$1,7 billion (about N$10,5 billion).He founded the luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont and the diversified industrial holding group Remgro Ltd during a business career spanning more than 60 years.Richemont markets international brands such as Rothmans, Dunhill, Cartier and Mont Blanc.President Thabo Mbeki praised Rupert as a man who played a pivotal role in the development of South Africa’s industrial and commercial sectors.”Not only did he distinguish himself in the Afrikaner community, but also played a significant role in supporting and initiating significant transformation of South Africa’s business,” Mbeki said.Tony Leon, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, called Rupert a renaissance man who had the courage during the darkest days of apartheid to see a non-racial future for the country based on partnership.”His flair for business and commerce helped put South Africa on the international stage,” Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said.Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who called Rupert a friend, said: “He lived a full life in which he served his country, the world and humanity.”Rupert wanted to be remembered as a man of worth rather than simply as a successful man, family spokesman Hans Knoetze said.Among other things, Rupert used his great wealth to initiate and fund language courses to encourage the learning of Xhosa, Zulu and Northern Sotho.He also pioneered training courses for his own staff and shared those courses with other businesses and the government.He commissioned the Lesotho Industrial Development Corporation in 1966 and The Medical Shuttle Service, which over 25 years provided free medical services to the people of Lesotho.He was a founder of the Southern African Nature Foundation, now known as World Wildlife Fund SA.He also funded other conservation projects, founded an organisation to preserve historical buildings in South Africa and a foundation to establish Peace Parks in transnational conservation areas.Rupert’s wife of 63 years, Huberte, died last October at age 86.Knoetze said he believed the death of Rupert’s lifelong soul mate contributed to the decline of Rupert’s health.Rupert is survived by his daughter, son Johann and five grandchildren.- Nampa-APHis family features in the Forbes list of the world’s 500 wealthiest families with assets estimated at US$1,7 billion (about N$10,5 billion).He founded the luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont and the diversified industrial holding group Remgro Ltd during a business career spanning more than 60 years.Richemont markets international brands such as Rothmans, Dunhill, Cartier and Mont Blanc.President Thabo Mbeki praised Rupert as a man who played a pivotal role in the development of South Africa’s industrial and commercial sectors.”Not only did he distinguish himself in the Afrikaner community, but also played a significant role in supporting and initiating significant transformation of South Africa’s business,” Mbeki said.Tony Leon, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, called Rupert a renaissance man who had the courage during the darkest days of apartheid to see a non-racial future for the country based on partnership.”His flair for business and commerce helped put South Africa on the international stage,” Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said.Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who called Rupert a friend, said: “He lived a full life in which he served his country, the world and humanity.”Rupert wanted to be remembered as a man of worth rather than simply as a successful man, family spokesman Hans Knoetze said.Among other things, Rupert used his great wealth to initiate and fund language courses to encourage the learning of Xhosa, Zulu and Northern Sotho.He also pioneered training courses for his own staff and shared those courses with other businesses and the government.He commissioned the Lesotho Industrial Development Corporation in 1966 and The Medical Shuttle Service, which over 25 years provided free medical services to the people of Lesotho.He was a founder of the Southern African Nature Foundation, now known as World Wildlife Fund SA.He also funded other conservation projects, founded an organisation to preserve historical buildings in South Africa and a foundation to establish Peace Parks in transnational conservation areas.Rupert’s wife of 63 years, Huberte, died last October at age 86.Knoetze said he believed the death of Rupert’s lifelong soul mate contributed to the decline of Rupert’s health.Rupert is survived by his daughter, son Johann and five grandchildren.- Nampa-AP