In honour of the monumental role he has played in establishing a voice for black business in South Africa, the Advisory Council of the Public Sector Awards selected Dr Samuel Mokheti Motsuenyane as a recipient of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.
A pioneering and visionary leader, Motsuenyane is one of the founding fathers and a past president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC), established in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Advisory Council selected him because of his pioneering spirit and resolve to positively influence the course and outcome of black determination. The council also recognised him for creating a space for the involvement and contribution of black business in the social and economic well-being of their communities.
Post-1994, Motsuenyane ensured that black businesses took their rightful place in the broader economy of South Africa. This was driven by the need to see black businesses effectively contributing towards the growth and development of South Africa.
In his career of more than 40 years, Motsuenyane has achieved several significant milestones, including:
- The establishment of a viable and vibrant farming community in Winterveld through abolishing subsistence farming and commercialising farming. This has enabled the farmers to compete in the open market. The approach has seen the local farmers sell their produce to established outlets like Pick ‘n Pay in the Soshanguve area;
- He has established many black-controlled companies;
- He served as ambassador to the Gulf States until 2000;
- He was instrumental in the establishment of a unique Agricultural Secondary School in Winterveld. This was spearheaded by the Dr Sam Motsuenyane Rural Development Foundation.
His courage and determination have been noted by numerous institutions and organisations, both in the public and private sectors, including:
- Receiving the Order of the Baobab Gold in 2002. This was granted to him as a South African citizen for distinguished service, delivered above and beyond the ordinary call of duty;
- The Sowetan Business Award;
- Harvard Business Club Award;
- The Sunday Times Business Awards, Free Market Award and several awards from the NAFCOC Regional Chambers;
- Business Development Award from the Black Management Forum;
- Frans du Toit Medal for Business Leadership;
- Sunday Times Top Business Award;
- Star Business Leadership Award
Motsuenyane continues to serve the people of South Africa through the rural foundation bearing his name and to share his vision and leadership skills to uplift his fellow countrymen. In his recent autobiography, A Testament for Hope, Motsuenyane extols the virtues of hard work and encourages South Africans to reach for greater heights.
This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial supplement