Moses Tembe

Moses Tembe is a South African businessman and philanthropist known for his contributions to the economic and social development of KwaZulu-Natal. With a career spanning over three decades, Tembe has held leadership roles in industries such as real estate, gaming, retail, and manufacturing. He gained public attention as the father of Anele "Nelli" Tembe, whose tragic death in 2021 sparked widespread media coverage.

Early life and education

Moses Tembe was born in 1963 in the rural village of Jozini, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He spent much of his childhood in Durban’s Umlazi township. After matriculating from Menzi High School in Umlazi in 1979, Tembe pursued higher education at the University of South Africa, earning a bachelor's degree in public administration and political science. He later completed a course in financial management through the Caltex Business Management Programme at the University of Cape Town.

Career

Tembe began his career in the 1980s by establishing several butcheries in Durban’s townships, later diversifying into other sectors, including property development, gaming, retail, engineering, manufacturing, tourism, and shipping. He is the founder of Bellamont Investments and the Bellamont Group of Companies.
Tembe has held numerous positions, including:

Chairman of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Ltd.
Vice-chairman of Gold Circle Racing & Gaming Group
President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Secretary General of the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce
Co-chair of the KZN Growth Coalition
Chairman of the eThekwini Community Foundation
Director of the Durban Infrastructure Development Trust
Non-executive director of JSE-listed companies such as Mr. Price Group, Santova Ltd., and Beige Holdings Ltd.

Tembe has been involved in several major developments in KwaZulu-Natal, including the Point Waterfront, Suncoast Casino, Richards Bay Eco Junction, and various township-based shopping malls. His has several awards, including the Ithala Business Award and the Investec Entrepreneur Award in 2002. Tembe's company, Moses Tembe Investments Ltd., reportedly generates annual revenue of approximately $2.45 million.

South African National Lottery tender

In May 2025, Tembe and Sandile Zungu, through their consortium Sizekhaya Holdings, were awarded the R180 billion South African National Lottery tender, securing an eight-year license to operate the lottery starting in 2026, replacing the incumbent operator, Ithuba Holdings. The announcement by Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, followed a competitive bidding process that faced significant controversy, including allegations of

Personal life

Moses Tembe was married to Lulu Msomi Tembe until her death in 2014 due to illness. The couple had three children: Anele "Nelli" Tembe, Vukile Tembe, and Nosipho Tembe.
After Lulu’s death, Tembe married Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, daughter of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, forming a blended family with two additional children, Mbali and Zamatonga. His connection to the Zulu royal family has further elevated his public profile.
Tembe's life has been marked by personal tragedy, notably the death of his daughter Anele "Nelli" Tembe in April 2021. Anele, a model and entrepreneur, died after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. She had been engaged to rapper Kiernan Forbes. The circumstances surrounding her death led to public speculation and tensions between the Tembe and Forbes families, with the Tembe family alleging foul play in a letter to the National Prosecuting Authority. In 2023, AKA was killed in a drive-by shooting in Durban, prompting further controversy, though Tembe publicly expressed grief and denied any involvement.

Controversies

The deaths of Anele Tembe and Kiernan "AKA" Forbes brought Moses Tembe into the public eye, with social media speculation linking him to AKA’s murder, which he has vehemently denied. In an interview, Tembe expressed regret for not intervening more in his daughter’s reportedly toxic relationship with AKA and emphasized his desire for AKA to have provided clarity on Anele’s death. The Tembe family has supported an ongoing inquest into Anele’s death, seeking closure.

Net worth

Tembe’s net worth is estimated to be between $30 million and $100 million, derived from his diverse business ventures, including Moses Tembe Investments Ltd., real estate holdings, and other assets. He owns multiple properties in South Africa and reportedly abroad, including a luxurious apartment in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.