Zim Businessman Dr James Makamba Nominates The Motsepes And Tbo Touch For The Ice Bucket Challenge

Zimbabwean telecommunication tycoon invited us to the Saxon Hotel in Sandton to witness him take the ALS Ice Bucket challenge and nominate some big names to follow suit. 

Telecel Chairman Dr James Makamba recently posted his own Ice Bucket Challenge video on his Facebook page with a caption;

"I was nominated, and I accepted the challenge my friends! 

Today, in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). 

I have also nominated Patrice Motsepe and his wife Dr Precious Moloi, Caroline Steyn, Tbo Touch, Strive Masiyiwa, his wife Tsitsi and Philip Chiyangwa to join the challenge! "

No surprise that Dr Makamba would  be involved in such an initiative. He is an active philanthropists giving generously to African focused causes such as education and the plight of disadvantaged children.

He is the founder of Ibbamo Foundation which is an organisation that raises funds and establishes projects for improving educational opportunities for disadvantaged South African children. Through the Ibbamo Foundation Makamba has raised funds for the Jacob Zuma Education Trust.

He also serves as a trustee of the Bongi Ngema Zuma Foundation which promotes awareness of diabetes. Ngema Zuma is the wife of South African, president, Jacob Zuma. Makamba’s interest in the Foundation is consistent with his profound belief that “education is the oxygen of life”.

In the mid-1990s Dr James Makamba formed a consortium of Zimbabweans, including war veterans and indigenous groupings, through which he could partner with Telecel International, the first cellular services provider on the African continent, to tender for one of the licences. 

When the licence was awarded in 1995, Makamba became chairman of Telecel Zimbabwe as well as chairman of the consortium. He has since become a formidable player in the business sector on the continent and sits on a few boards of companies, including Kestrel Corporation and Anglo American Minerals. 

Sadly the political situation back in Zim has forced him to leave his country and reside in South Africa but he tells me that he is still very involved in the upliftment of Zimbabweans back home. 

A very charismatic man, Makamba is certainly a man with a vision to change our continent by sharing his wealth and knowledge to uplift young Africans. People like Metro FM DJ and entrepreneur is one of his friends and someone he regard as a rolemodel for young Africans that he supports gladly. 

Will his nominee take the challenge? We'll see...