Bridgette Radebe is One of SA’s Most Important Businesswomen- Bio, Net worth, 7 Facts

The South African businesswoman, Bridgette Radebe began her business as a miner in the early 1980s. From there she started a mining firm that helps produce platinum, gold, and even chrome. Radebe is widely recognized as the first female black mining entrepreneur. She has over 3 decades of experience in the sector and has headed quite a number of associations.

Bridgette Radebe has held other positions aside from being the executive chairperson of Mmakau. She is a member and an office-bearer of the Black Business Council, BBC, and also the former Vice Chairman of the Minerals and Mining and Mining Development Board.

Bridgette Radebe’s Biography

The South African businesswoman, Bridgette Radebe was born during the apartheid era on 26 February 1960 in South Africa. She attended the University of Botswana from 1973 to 1977. Her family is known to be of Tswana descent. Her father, Chief Augustine Butane Chaane Motsepe led the Tswana tribe, Bakgatla-Bammakau in the North West province of South Africa. Her father was first a school teacher who also owned a small shop in the township before he ventured into mining. Her father died in 2007.

Net worth

Bridgette Radebe is a very successful businesswoman who now rubs shoulders with the likes of Isabel Dos Santos of Angola and Irene Charnley of South Africa. Radebe was named among the top 6 richest black women in South Africa.

Radebe has an estimated net worth of about R1 billion which she has accrued mainly through the mining company she established.

Here are 7 interesting facts about Bridgette Radebe

1. Bridgette Radebe is from an Entrepreneurial Family

Radebe is only the businessperson in her family. The entrepreneurial spirit runs through her lineage since from the time her father ventured into mining. Her parents even helped fight oppressive rules that were against businessmen at that time.

Her brother Patrice Motsepe is also a mining magnate and is South Africa’s first black billionaire. He is currently placed ninth on Forbes’ list for the richest Africans in 2021 with an estimated net worth of $3 billion. Her older sister, Tshepo Motsepe is also a businesswoman and the first lady of South Africa.

2. She is Married to Jeff Radebe

Bridgette Radebe has been married to South African’s Minister in the Presidency Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe. The latter had served in the government of South Africa as a minister in the presidency from 2014 to 2018. The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa appointed his Minister of Energy from February 2018 to May 2019. Bridgette Radebe’s husband has also served as acting president of South Africa when both the president and his deputy were away on official duties.

Radebe has three children wither husband; Vukani Radebe, Malaika Radebe and Mandisa Radebe. It was recently discovered on social media that South Africa’s sensational DJ DBN Gogo is her daughter ‘Mandisa’. Many social media users have praised the DJ for not using her family name to help her career in the entertainment industry.

3. Radebe was denied admission into Wits University

During her early years, Radebe had dreams of becoming a mines lawyer because of an incident that happened in 1976. But unfortunately, her dreams were cut short because she was black. She was referred to Wits University which was a school for Bantu speakers. She didn’t spend much time in the university as she was unfortunately expelled from there as well.

See Also: Bahumi Madisakwane- 10 Shocking Facts About Somizi’s Daughter

4. Rumors about Bridgette Radebe and Ian Kham

The businesswoman began trending recently for allegations that she was having an affair with Ian Khama. Ian Khama is the former president of Botswana. Also, she was denied entry into Botswana because of visas but South Africans don’t need visas to visit Botswana. Regarding her affairs with Khama, she has come out to say they have been friends for so long.

5. She Has Received Several Awards for Her Impactful Contributions to the society

Bridgette Radebe has been recognized and applauded for her incredible support and contribution in the country and in Africa as well. Here are some of her accolades:

• Global Foundation For Democracy’s International Businessperson Of The Year 2008
• Forbes Africa’s Most Richest Women, 2012
• Pioneer In Mining Award, South African Ministry of Minerals and Energy
• The Onkgopotse Tiro Excellence Awards, Limpopo University, 2012
• Mababongwe: Renaissance Woman Award, University Durban-Westville
• Nominee African Business Woman of The Year, Global Business Awards, 2018
• Ten Female Millionaires To Watch In Africa, Forbes, 2012

6. She was Involved in Money Laundering Allegations

It was not long after Bridgette Radebe’s name was cleared by the South African banks of allegations that she was involved in illegally moving money to Botswana to facilitate a coup. Radebe was faced with another new allegation that she was involved in a $48 million money laundering and fraud in South Africa. The business tycoon has come out to vehemently deny these allegations.

7. Bridgette Radebe Believes Having a Mentor is Important

The businesswoman shared the secret of her success in business sometimes back. Radebe believes it is important for anyone who wants to start a business to have a mentor. She credited her mentors to the success she has had so far in her career. she added that a mentor tends to guide and advise new business owners with the vast knowledge he must have gained as a veteran businessperson.

Complete profile of Bridgette Radebe