| Bridgette Radebe | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 26, 1960 South Africa |
| Residence | South Africa |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Known for | Being one of Africa's first black female mine owner/operators[1] |
Bridgette Radebe (née Motsepe) is a South African businesswoman and the older sister of South African businessman Patrice Motsepe.
She was born on February 26, 1960.[1] Radebe started out as a miner in the 1980s; managing indvidual mine shafts and producing materials for the larger mine operations in South Africa.[2] She started Mmaku Mining; a mining firm which explorers for and produces platinum, gold, and chrome.[2]
Radabe is the President of the South African Mining Development Association and her husband is South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe.[2] She is also the member of the New Africa Mining Fund and serves on the Sappi Board.[1][3] Bridgette has criticized the "capitalist mining model" because "it takes land to exploit the materials, the exports create ghost towns, and jobs go overseas.[4]" When South Africa was re-created 83% of the natural resources belonged to the racial minority (white people). Today, 91% of the same resources are owned by corporate monopolies.[4] She suggests three solutions to solve the problem: 1) complete nationalization of all mining operations, 2) a state buyout of the mining operations of dwindling profitability in the name of black empowerment, 3) a co-operation movement between public and private sectors over the running of South Africa's mines.[4]
Radabe received an "International Businessperson of the Year Award" on May 2008 by the Global Foundation for Demcracy.[1] This award recognizes businesspeople who have made the different in a world of changing political and environmental landscapes.[1] Originally barred by legislation to start her own enterprise, Bridgette is a heroic woman who has defied racial segregation to acquiring a mining license and accomplish her goals.[5] Through her tenure as the President of the Junior Mining Chamber, Radebe has alleviated poverty and restored the dignity of the native African people.[5] Her model is now being used in various mining chambers all across Africa.[5] On July 1-2, 2011, Radebe assisted the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and the former Charlene Wittstock.[1]