Statesmen, politicians and business leaders paid tribute to South African entrepreneur Anton Rupert on Thursday, calling him a patriot who fought the inhumanities of apartheid and contributed to wildlife, conservation and the arts.
Former president Nelson Mandela said the country had lost a friend.
Rupert could now join his beloved wife Huberte who died in October last year, Mandela said.
”We are sad at the loss of a friend. We grant him the peace of now joining his beloved Huberte.
”He lived a full life in which he served his country, the world and humanity. Mooi loop, Anton.”
Rupert died in his sleep at his Stellenbosch home on Wednesday night. He was 89.
President Thabo Mbeki said Rupert had pioneered the establishment of South Africa’s footprint in the global financial and commercial world.
”Dr Rupert played a pivotal role in the development of South Africa’s industrial and commercial sectors,” Mbeki said.
”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,” said Mbeki.
Commitment to conservation
Rupert will be remembered for his passionate commitment to conservation, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk said.
”His global business empire will stand as a testament to his commercial skills, but his most lasting legacy to the world will be the fruits of his passionate commitment to conservation.
”We will ensure that his work continues, and that his memory endures in the growth and success of Southern African parks and protected areas,” he said.
Van Schalkwyk said apart from Rupert’s role in the creation of the WWF, he was instrumental in the establishment of transfrontier conservation areas.
”He will always be celebrated as one of the greatest sons of South Africa, and his towering presence will be sorely missed.
”Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rupert family today as are our grateful thanks for having shared with us his energies and enthusiasm,” he said.
‘Entrepreneur who built an empire’
The United Democratic Movement also paid tribute to Rupert.
”We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said on Thursday. ”The UDM is saddened by the news of the passing away of Dr Anton Rupert. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
He met Rupert for the first time during his tenure as deputy minister of environmental affairs. Rupert struck him as a man deeply committed to preserving the natural heritage of South Africa and the region.
”His concern with the heritage of the country extended to large-scale funding and development initiatives in the environmental, education, art and music fields.
”We salute him as an entrepreneur who built an international business empire from humble beginnings and who did not hesitate to reinvest in worthy causes.
”We hope that you will find consolation in the knowledge that Dr Rupert lived a full and productive life during which he was a positive influence on countless people,” he said.
‘Builder and architect’
Rupert was one of the great builders and architects of South Africa’s many landscapes in business and industry, in the arts, nature and wildlife conservation, said official opposition Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
Leon said: ”In the best sense of the word, Dr Rupert was South Africa’s renaissance man. He also had the presence and the courage during the darkest days of apartheid to see a non-racial future based on partnership.
”I regard it as a great privilege of my public and private life to have had the opportunity to have been exposed to his warmth and wisdom.”
Leon extended his sympathy to Rupert’s family.
‘Patriot’
Rupert was a patriot who had fought the inhumanities of apartheid, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Thursday.
”Dr Anton Rupert was a cavalry figure and a patriotic South African. His flair for business and commerce helped put South Africa on international stage,” Buthelezi said.
”Even greater was his determination to oppose apartheid in principle and aid all those, including myself, who were actively involved in the struggle the inhumane system.”
Buthelezi said Rupert’s entrepreneurial spirit was combined in equal measure with a generous philanthropic disposition.
”He also made a magnificent contribution to the arts,” he said. ”I was proud to call Dr Rupert a friend. He was always a wonderful source of support and kindness.”
‘Ahead of his time’
Rupert was ahead of his time, Shanduka executive chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa said.
”I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Rupert family on the loss of one of South Africa’s greatest businessmen,” he said. ”I had the privilege of working with Mr Anton Rupert on the peace parks and was impressed by his broad-mindedness.
”He was certainly ahead of his times. He loved South Africa and was deeply committed to the empowerment of its people. We will certainly miss him and may his soul rest in peace,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
‘Great South African’
Rupert was a great South African who made an enormous contribution to the South African economy, former president FW de Klerk said on Thursday.
”Dr Rupert was a truly great business leader. He made an enormous contribution to the South African economy and proved that South Africans could also compete successfully in the international arena.
”Dr Rupert was a great South African who consistently based his approach to relationships and politics on his philosophy of partnership.”
De Klerk said Rupert was a visionary innovator who often set the pace in marketing and business — not only in South Africa but also throughout the world.
Rupert had also made an enormous contribution to the arts and to the preservation of South Africa’s cultural and architectural heritage.
”He was at the forefront of global efforts to conserve wildlife and our natural environment,” De Klerk said. ”I found him inspiring and greatly valued the constant support that he gave to our efforts to bring about the constitutional transformation of South Africa.”
Prosperity
The Solidarity trade union said Rupert will be remembered for his role in the economic prosperity of the country as a whole.
The union’s general secretary, Flip Buys, said Rupert had, through hard work and ingenuity, created prosperity in an impoverished community, not just for himself but also for many people around him.
”He belonged to a generation of business leaders who helped their own communities to pull themselves out of the morass of poverty by their own bootstraps,” Buys said. — Sapa, I-Net Bridge