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| 'Visionary' South African businessman Douw Steyn dies | 'Visionary' South African businessman Douw Steyn dies |
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| Tributes are pouring in for insurance magnate and philanthropist Douw Steyn | Tributes are pouring in for insurance magnate and philanthropist Douw Steyn |
| South African billionaire and businessman Douw Steyn, who founded the BGL Insurance Group and was a good friend of late South African statesman Nelson Mandela, has died aged 72. | |
| Steyn, known for his global success in the insurance industry, died on Tuesday following a long period of illness. | Steyn, known for his global success in the insurance industry, died on Tuesday following a long period of illness. |
| He was regarded in South Africa as a "visionary" with a "larger than life character". | He was regarded in South Africa as a "visionary" with a "larger than life character". |
| Steyn first befriend Mandela shortly after the former president was released from his decades-long imprisonment on Robben Island. | Steyn first befriend Mandela shortly after the former president was released from his decades-long imprisonment on Robben Island. |
| Steyn's death was confirmed by Steyn City Properties, the company behind the luxury estate he developed around 2010. | Steyn's death was confirmed by Steyn City Properties, the company behind the luxury estate he developed around 2010. |
| The company said Steyn would be "remembered as an exceptional entrepreneur who built a global business of immense scale across seven countries. | The company said Steyn would be "remembered as an exceptional entrepreneur who built a global business of immense scale across seven countries. |
| The Nelson Mandela Foundation said it mourned the death of "someone Madiba [Mandela] regarded as a friend". | The Nelson Mandela Foundation said it mourned the death of "someone Madiba [Mandela] regarded as a friend". |
| "He [Steyn] supported Madiba in numerous ways over many years. During 1992 Madiba lived in [Steyn's] home as he navigated his way through a very painful separation from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela." | "He [Steyn] supported Madiba in numerous ways over many years. During 1992 Madiba lived in [Steyn's] home as he navigated his way through a very painful separation from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela." |
| South Africa's first democratically elected president also "frequently turned to" Steyn "when he needed spaces for retreat or support for his projects", according to the foundation. | South Africa's first democratically elected president also "frequently turned to" Steyn "when he needed spaces for retreat or support for his projects", according to the foundation. |
| Mandela spent 27 years in prison for campaigning to end white-minority rule. | Mandela spent 27 years in prison for campaigning to end white-minority rule. |
| Eighteen of those years were spent on Robben Island, an island off Cape Town. | Eighteen of those years were spent on Robben Island, an island off Cape Town. |
| Steyn began his entrepreneurial journey in 1975 when he founded Steyn's Insurance Brokers, according to South African daily business website BusinessLIVE. | Steyn began his entrepreneurial journey in 1975 when he founded Steyn's Insurance Brokers, according to South African daily business website BusinessLIVE. |
| This would pave the way for the establishment of one of the country's leading groups, Auto & General, and later BGL Insurance in the UK in the 90s. | This would pave the way for the establishment of one of the country's leading groups, Auto & General, and later BGL Insurance in the UK in the 90s. |
| He also established the Steyn Foundation, which is aimed at supporting its impoverished townships. | He also established the Steyn Foundation, which is aimed at supporting its impoverished townships. |
| He leaves behind his wife and three children. | He leaves behind his wife and three children. |
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| Top South African singer Winnie Khumalo dies aged 51 | Top South African singer Winnie Khumalo dies aged 51 |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |