Robert Gumede
Robert Gumede | |
---|---|
Born | South Africa | 9 August 1963
Alma mater | University of Zululand |
Occupation | Businessman |
Spouse | Portia Mkhize |
Robert Gumede (born 9 August 1963) is a South African businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of the IT firm Gijima Technologies and its holding company Gijima Group.[1][2]
Early life
Robert Gumede was one of seven children raised by his mother and grandmother in the town of
Business career
In 1988 Gumede left his job with the Ministry of Justice due to his political activities during
In 2011 GijimaAST settled out of court with the Department of Home Affairs after a dispute over a tender project worth R2.3 billion due to escalating project costs.
Politics
Gumede is open about his political and financial support for the governing party of South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC), and has a close friendship with former ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa.[2] In 2016 he donated a fleet of 12 vehicles to the ANC's election campaign for the South African municipal elections of 2016.[5] The Daily Maverick alleges that Gumede is part of an economic elite in South Africa that owes its existence to a system of patronage created by the African National Congress.[6]
In 2018 a Sunday Times article alleged that Gumede provided substantial support to Emmerson Mnangagwa's election campaign during the Zimbabwean general election that year.[7] It is illegal in Zimbabwe for foreigners to fund local elections. Gumede strongly denied the accusation, calling it fake news.[8]
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d www.lesideesnet.com, Les Idées Net -. "African Success : Biography of Robert MATANA GUMEDE". www.africansuccess.org. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Sole, Adriaan Basson, Sam (5 November 2010). "Who is Robert Gumede?". The M&G Online. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Nsehe, Mfonobong. "The Black Knight Of Africa: How Robert Gumede is Expanding His Legacy Across the Continent". Forbes. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ a b c Magome, Mogomotsi (21 December 2014). "SIU: R360m IT tender was rigged". IOL News. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "IT billionaire gives 12 vehicles to the ANC". News24. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Waal, Mandy De (21 January 2013). "South Africa's power elite". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ Mvumvu, Zingisa (5 August 2018). "SA tycoon 'funded Emmerson Mnangagwa campaign'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ "Robert Gumede denies funding Zanu-PF's election campaign". TimesLive. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.