SA Retail Council unveils 2013 Pioneer and Lifetime Achievement Award winners

Richard Maponya, a South African entrepreneur and property developer, received the award from Marius Muller, honored with a SACSC Pioneer Award and Chris Lawrence was acknowledged with a SACSC Lifetime Achievement Award.

The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) recently announced its 2013 Pioneer and Lifetime Achievement Awards 2013, which recognise exceptional contribution to the retail real estate sector for the nation.

This year the Richard Maponya was honored with a SACSC Pioneer Award and Chris Lawrence was acknowledged with a SACSC Lifetime Achievement Award. These prestigious awards announced at the recent 17th Congress of the SACSC held in Sandton.

Maponya is a South African entrepreneur and property developer best known for building a business empire despite the restrictions of apartheid and his determination to see the Soweto township develop economically. He realised his 26-year dream of building a mall in the heart of Soweto with 70,000sqm Maponya Mall in 2007.

Amanda Stops, CEO of the SACSC, says: “With the SACSC Pioneer Award, we recognise Richard for his innovation and forward thinking over the years and for the substantial mark he has made on our industry.”

Chris Lawrence’s retail property career spans influential positions at Murray & Roberts, Marriott Retail and Old Mutual Property. Chris has also been an active member of the SACSC including various committees, National Council and Executive Committee.  Chris was President of the SACSC from 2005 to 2007. 

“We recognise Chris for his excellence, dedication, leadership and pure brilliance and we take great pleasure in awarding Chris with the SACSC Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Stops.