President John Pombe Magufuli has led Tanzanians and its business fraternity to mourn the sudden demise of Media mogul and billionaire Reginald Mengi, who passed on Thursday morning in Dubai.
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5 Things to know about the late Tanzanian Billionaire Reginald Mengi
What you need to know about the late Mengi
Reginald Mengi with Jeff Koinange
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Here are a few facts about the late Mengi that you need to know:
Birth
Mengi was born in 1944 in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
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He ventured into media and diversified to become a renown industrialist in Africa. Mengi was also the founder/Executive Chairman of IPP Group.
Mengi was also the vice president of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors, Tanzania.
Marriage
Dr. Mengi is married to former Miss Tanzania Jacqueline Mengi and together they have two children. The two got married in a lavish wedding in Mauritius back in 2015, a union that provoked a huge debate in Tanzania due to the age difference.
Before marrying Jacqueline, Mengi had divorced with his first wife Mercy Anna Mengi. Mercy and Mengi got married on November 27, 1971 and they were blessed with three children, Regina, Rodney and Abdiel.
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She (Mercy) died on October 31, 2018 at the age of 70, while in South Africa Undergoing treatment.
Reginald Mengi with his Wife Jacqueline Mengi
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Founder IPP Media Group
Mengi's company, IPP Group owns stations like ITV, East Africa TV, Capital TV, Radio One, East Africa Radio, and Capital FM.
He also owns a printing company, The Guardian Limited, that publishes the Guardian, Nipashe and Alaska magazines among others newspapers in Tanzania.
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The business tycoon also owns Bonite Bottlers which is the sole bottler of Coca-Cola products in the northern region of Tanzania. His IPP group of company also mines minerals such as gold, uranium, copper, chrome and coal.
Wealth
Dr Mengi has an estimated net worth of US $560 million as per Forbes richest people in Africa 2014.
Jeff Koinange with Reginald Mengi
Pulse Live Kenya
Studies
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Despite being born into extreme poverty, Dr Reginald Mengi managed to study accounting in the UK and qualified as a chartered accountant.
In 1989 Dr Mengi left the prestigious audit firm of Cooper Brothers (later Coopers & Lybrand and now Price Water House Coopers- (PWC), where he had risen to the position of Managing Partner and Chairman, to concentrate on his own businesses.
Autobiography
In July 2018 Dr. Mengi published an autobiography re-counting his journey from a humble background to his emergence as one of the most successful businessmen in Africa.
The book titled ‘I can, I must, I will’, was launched in a ceremony attended by Tanzania’s President, John Magufuli, as well as several leading entrepreneurs, politicians and diplomats.
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Poverty Eradication
Among his a philanthropic works, Dr Mengi sent hundreds of Tanzanian children with heart ailments to India for treatment.
As part of his continuing efforts to support persons with disabilities Dr Mengi created a foundation known as ‘The Dr Reginald Mengi Persons with Disabilities Foundation’.
Reginald Mengi with his Wife Jacqueline Mengi
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Positions held By Mengi
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Before his death, Dr Reginald Mengi held the following positions:
1. Founding and current Chairman, Media Owners Association of Tanzania (MOAT).
This is an organization which represents media owners in Tanzania. Dr Reginald Mengi was elected as Chairman in 2003 and held this position for 16 years.
2. Founding and current Chairman, Dr. Reginald Mengi People with Disabilities Foundation.
This is an NGO which mobilizes funds for people with disabilities. Dr Mengi has been its Chairman since 1992.
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3. Chairman, Economic Empowerment Working Group of the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC).
The TNBC is a public/private sector initiative established to serve as a forum for public-private sector dialogue on strategic direction for promoting investments and accelerating economic growth and poverty eradication.
4. Board Member, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).
TPSF is the apex body for the Private Sector in Tanzania.
5. Patron
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Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania, from March, 2018.
6. Trustee,
Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) part of the University of Dar es Salaam College of Social Sciences (CoSS) from April, 2018.
7. Executive Chairman of;
IPP Research, Technology and Innovation Limited, Bonite Bottlers Limited, East Africa Television Limited,The Guardian Limited, IPP Automobile Limited, IPP Energy Limited, Infocom Technologies Limited, IPP Agro, IPP Resources Limited, IPP Cement Limited, IPP Touchmate Limited, IPP Pharmaceuticals Limited, IPP Export Limited and IPP Angel Investors Limited.
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Reginald Mengi is dead
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Awards Won by Mengi
In recognition of his philanthropic achievements, Mengi had received more than 15 awards:
1. The Order of the United Republic of Tanzania in 1994.
By His Excellency Ali Hassan Mwinyi, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
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2. The Order of the Arusha Declaration of the First Class in 1995.
By His Excellency Ali Hassan Mwinyi, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
3. The Business for Peace Award 2012.
Awarded in Oslo by the Award Giving Committee of Nobel Laureates of the Business for Peace Foundation.
4. Global Leadership and Humanitarian Award and the 1st United Nations NGO Lifetime Achievement Award 2010.
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Awarded by the Global 2000 (2010) International, a registered member of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, member NGO of the United Nations Department of Public Information and registered NGO in consultative status with UNESCO of the United Nations.
Dr Reginad Mengi Awards
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5. The 2008 Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice.
Award by the United States of America.
6. The East Africa Environmental Network (EAEN) Leadership Award.
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7. The International Order of the Lions Award.
By the International Association of the Lions Club.
8. Life Achievement in Philanthropy Award.
By the East Africa Association of Grant makers (EAAG) in 2013.
9. East Africa’s Most Respected CEO 2nd position in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Awarded by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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10. Certificate given to Dr Mengi 2017.
By the Chartered Institute of Taxation for England and Wales marking 50 years of membership.
Dr Reginad Mengi Awards
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11. Appreciation of Dr Mengi’s service as Chairman of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors of Tanzania (NBAA) Governing Board 1984 – 2000.
12. The Environmental Conservation Award Grade One 2012.
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By His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
13. Award of ‘the Most Inspiring Entrepreneur’ 2015.
By the Dar es Salaam University Marketing Association (DUMA).
14. Letter of Appreciation from the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) 2015. Under the Prime Minister’s Office.
15. All Africa Business Leaders Awards 2014
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