Anton Rupert, 89, South African Tycoon
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Anton Rupert, a South African industrialist and philanthropist who opposed apartheid’s inhumanities and used his wealth to fund environmental and educational projects, died Wednesday. He was 89.
Rupert rose from humble beginnings to become one of South Africa’s most successful industrialists, playing a leading role in the country’s mining, tobacco, banking, media, beverage, food and health care industries.
Rupert founded the luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont and the diversified industrial holding group Remgro Ltd. during a business career spanning more than 60 years. Richemont markets international brands such as Rothmans, Dunhill, Cartier, and Mont Blanc.
Among other things, Rupert used his great wealth to initiate and fund language courses to encourage the learning of Xhosa, Zulu, and Northern Sotho.
He commissioned the Lesotho Industrial Development Corporation in 1966 and the Medical Shuttle Service, which over 25 years provided free medical services to the people of Lesotho.
He was a founder of the Southern African Nature Foundation, now known as World Wildlife Fund SA. He also funded other conservation projects, founded an organization to preserve historical buildings in South Africa and a foundation to establish Peace Parks in transnational conservation areas.
