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Tanzanian Millionaire Receives Lions Philanthropy Award

Mfonobong Nsehe
Former Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
I chronicle Africa's success stories and track its richest people
This article is more than 10 years old.

The International Association of Lions Clubs has awarded Tanzanian multi-millionaire media mogul Reginald Mengi with the International Order of the Lion.

According to a news report on Tanzanian news portal IPPMedia, Mengi was granted the International Order of the Lion- the highest award the Lions Club bestows on philanthropists on Tuesday the 4th of March 2014 during a gala banquet in Dar es Salaam which was well attended by prominent Tanzanian businessmen, politicians and diplomats. Mengi was presented with a gold medal and a certificate of recognition by the Lions Clubs International District 411B (Tanzania-Uganda) Governor Wilson Ndesanjo who represented Lions Club International President Barry Palmer.

According to Ndesanjo, Mengi was honored for his “selfless dedication to humanity and a determination to labour for the public welfare”.

“In such humanitarian endeavors you have always upheld the ideas and objectives of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization,” Ndesanjo noted, while applauding Dr Mengi’s philanthropic pursuits in the areas of education and healthcare.

Reginald Mengi in accepting the award urged Tanzania’s wealthy class to devote more resources towards uplifting the poor in the society.

“It’s wonderful for one to use part of one’s achievements to help God’s people. You will not be remembered by how much your bank account or business was a success but for your contributions and support to others in needy situation,” explained the IPP Executive Chairman.

Mengi, who is one of Africa’s richest men with a fortune FORBES estimates at $550 million is easily Tanzania’s most prominent philanthropist. Every year, the media and mining tycoon sponsors at least 100 Tanzanian children with severe heart conditions to get surgeries in foreign hospitals as there are very few specialized medical institutions to handle such cases in Tanzania. He also finances a scholarship programme that pays the fees of hundreds of destitute Tanzanian children through primary to tertiary education.

Mengi, a chartered accountant by training is the founder of IPP Group, a large Tanzanian media conglomerate that owns several popular newspapers, radio and television stations. He also owns gold mines, Coca-Cola bottling plants and companies that manufacture everything from shoe polish to mattresses and stationery. His companies employ over 5,000 people in Tanzania and rank among the largest corporate taxpayers in Tanzania.

Follow me on Twitter @MfonobongNsehe

Mfonobong Nsehe
Mfonobong Nsehe