Patrice Motsepe Biography
Patrice Motsepe is a South African businessman and football executive, known for his work in the mining industry through African Rainbow Minerals and his presidency at CAF.
| Legal Name | Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe |
|---|---|
| Born | January 28, 1962 (Age 64 Years) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Wife | Precious Moloi |
| Net Worth |
Early Life and Education
Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe was born on 28 January 1962 in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the son of Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe, a chief of the Mmakau branch of the Tswana people, and Margaret Martha Keneilwe Motsepe. Motsepe attended a Roman Catholic boarding school in the Eastern Cape province, which provided him with a better education than was typically available to black South Africans during the apartheid era. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Swaziland and a law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in mining and business law.
Career
Motsepe began his career in law, becoming the first black partner at the law firm Bowman Gilfillan in 1994, the same year Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president. He left the firm to pursue opportunities in the mining industry, founding Future Mining, which provided contract mining services. In 1997, he acquired marginal gold mines from AngloGold, which laid the foundation for his wealth through the establishment of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM).
Under Motsepe's leadership, ARM expanded its operations beyond gold to include ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. The company was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2002, and Motsepe became its Executive Chairman. He has also held positions as the non-executive chairman of Harmony Gold, the world's 12th largest gold mining company, and as the deputy chairman of Sanlam.
Football Administration
In 2003, Motsepe purchased a majority stake in the Mamelodi Sundowns F.C., a prominent football club in South Africa. He acquired full control of the club in 2004. Under his ownership, Mamelodi Sundowns has achieved significant success, winning multiple league titles.
Motsepe was elected as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on 12 March 2021, after all other candidates withdrew. He was re-elected on 12 March 2025 during the 14th extraordinary general assembly of CAF.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
In 2013, Motsepe joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donate half of his wealth to charitable causes. He has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including significant contributions to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Motsepe served as the interim chairman of the Black Business Council in 2011 and is a founding member and former president of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), an influential business advocacy group.
Recent Developments
In 2024, Motsepe expanded his investment portfolio to include renewable energy, co-founding GoSolr, a company focused on solar energy solutions. He stepped down as Executive Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals in February 2026, transitioning to the role of Non-executive Chairman.
Personal Life
Patrice Motsepe is married to Precious Moloi, a physician and philanthropist, and they have three children. He is the brother of Tshepo Motsepe and Bridgette Radebe, and he is related to prominent political figures, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Jeff Radebe.
See where Patrice Motsepe ranks on the top 50 list of the richest people in South Africa in 2026.