Ivan Semwanga
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Ivan Semwanga | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 December 1977 Nakaliro, Kayunga, Uganda |
| Died | 25 May 2017 (aged 39) Pretoria, South Africa |
| Education | Bachelor degree, Sokoine university of agriculture |
| Occupations | Businessman, philanthropist |
Ivan Semwanga (12 December 1977 – 25 May 2017) was a Ugandan-born South African socialite.[1] He was one of the members of the self-styled Rich Gang group well known in both South Africa and Uganda. The Rich Gang group was based on both humanitarian and philanthropy principles which target the less privileged youths, especially Ugandans living in South Africa. Other key members of the group are; Ivan's cousin Lawrence, a Ugandan tycoon based in South Africa, and Eddy Kyeyune.[2] The Rich Gang graced several occasions both in Uganda and South Africa. Also, Ivan invested in numerous educational institutions in South Africa.
Ivan was born in Nakaliro, Kayunga District. He then moved to South Africa for greener pastures, and it is alleged that Ivan worked as a ritualist in a local shrine in South Africa. He was helping rich South Africans to solve their problems by dumping them on the ground and giving them holy water that would wash their problems away. This helped Ivan accumulate wealth and by the time he died, Ivan had made a fortune with multimillion Business Empires which included Schools (in South Africa), students’ hostels, and apartments among others.[3] Ivan was christened the ‘modern father of Showbiz’ in Uganda because he gave a new look to the socialite scene. All the current socialites in Uganda learnt the game from Ivan.[3] Ivan married Zarinah Hassan, who is popularly known as Zari. The couple had three boys together. In 2011, Ivan and Zari organized a traditional introduction ceremony which cost over a billion Uganda shillings. In 2013, the couple called it quits after Zari accused Ivan of domestic violence.[4] Zari was involved in a relationship with a Tanzanian musician called Diamond Platnumz in 2014 and separated from him in 2018.[5][6][7]
Achievements
Ivan started the Brooklyn Colleges which have 6 branches spread across Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. The colleges specialize in Information Technology, Mining and Policing services among others.[4] In Uganda, Ivan was constructing a hotel on Sir Apollo Kagwa road, he also had several houses in Bunga, Munyonyo and Mutungo. A combination of all those projects leaves him with over Uganda Shs700m profits per month. Additionally, Ivan had two main houses in Sandton and Pretoria.[8]
Philanthropy
Ivan was considered[by whom?] to be the chairman of Ugandans in South Africa. He helped several needy people in both South Africa and Uganda. Three weeks before his death, he visited the underprivileged kids in M-Lisa orphanage, Nsambya. On his visit, he donated household items like bags of rice, sugar, soap, cooking oil and many other basic needs to the orphans. He also gave each orphan Ugandan Shs20, 000 before returning to South Africa where he died.[9] Early on, Ivan gave the Uganda National Football team (Uganda Cranes) Uganda Shs10m in cash during the African Cup of Nation match between Uganda and Ghana. He also promised the team Uganda Shs5m for all the goals they scored. Within 90minutes, the Uganda Cranes had beaten Ghana before they crossed to a penalty shoot-out. Furthermore, Ivan once sponsored 10 fans with all expenses from South Africa to Uganda to watch the Uganda VS Zambia game live at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole).[10]
Death
Ivan suffered a heart attack after leaving Uganda. Before his departure to South Africa. Ivan was admitted at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria where his ex-wife; Zari took care of him. He later died on Thursday, 25 May 2017 morning.[11]