Paul Mashatile is a prominent South African politician and the current vice president. He is also the vice president of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party of South Africa.
He has a long history of activism and leadership in the struggle against apartheid and the development of democracy in South Africa.
He is from Gauteng, his home state, where he has held various positions in the provincial government and the ANC.
File
- Full Name: Paul Shipokosa Mashatile
- Date of birth: October 21, 1961
- Age: 62 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Gerhardsville, Pretoria, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Politician
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Parents: Samuel Mashatile and Martha Mashatile
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: Hlumile Mjongile (married 2023)
- Children: Palesa Mashatile and Thabiso Mashatile
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Paul Mashatile, who will turn 62 in 2023, was born on October 21, 1961 in Gerhardsville, a rural area near Pretoria, South Africa.
He was the only child of Samuel and Martha Mashatile, farmers, and grew up in a poor and oppressed community under the apartheid regime.
He attended primary school in Gerhardsville and secondary school in Alexandra, a township in Johannesburg.
He was exposed to the political and social realities of the apartheid regime from an early age and became involved in student and youth movements opposing the regime.
He joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in 1976 and became its president in 1980.
He also helped found the Alexandra Youth Congress (AYC) in 1983 and became its president. He was arrested and detained by security forces several times for his activism and leadership.
He was also banned from attending gatherings or leaving his residence for five years.
Despite the restrictions and harassment, Mashatile continued his studies and obtained a degree in Principles of Economics from the University of London via distance learning in 1988.
He also completed a Diploma in Public Finance and Financial Policy at the University of South Africa in 1991. He obtained a Masters in Public and Development Management at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1998.
Personal life
Paul Mashatile married Manzi Ellen Mashatile in 1986. They have two children, Palesa and Thabiso. Manzi is a teacher and community activist who supports her husband’s political career.
She died in 2020 after a long illness. Mashatile remarried in 2023 to Hlumile Mjongile, a former ANC Youth League leader and member of parliament.
Mashatile is a Christian and a member of the Zion Christian Church. He enjoys reading, music and sports.
Career
Paul Mashatile began his political career in 1990 when he was elected secretary of the ANC in Alexandra. He is also a member of the ANC national executive committee and working committee.
He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic South Africa.
He was part of the ANC delegation that met former president Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990. He also participated in drafting South Africa’s interim and final constitutions.
In 1994, Mashatile was elected as a member of parliament in the first democratic elections. He served as chairman of the portfolio committee on arts, culture, science and technology. He was appointed deputy minister of arts and culture in 1996.
He resigned from his MP and ministerial positions in 1998 to become the ANC’s provincial secretary in Gauteng. He was responsible for coordinating and implementing ANC policies and programmes in the province.
In 2004, Mashatile was elected provincial chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng. He also became a member of the executive council (MEC) for housing, local government and development planning in the Gauteng provincial government.
He initiated a number of projects and programmes aimed at improving the provision of housing and basic services to the people of Gauteng. He also oversaw preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa.
In 2008, Mashatile was appointed premier of Gauteng, the province’s highest political position. He led the provincial government until 2009 when Nomvula Mokonyane replaced him.
He then became Minister of Arts and Culture in President Jacob Zuma’s first cabinet.
He held this position until 2014, when he was transferred to the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. He was also elected treasurer-general of the ANC in 2017, a position that made him one of the party’s top six leaders.
In 2019, Mashatile was elected deputy president of the ANC, alongside Cyril Ramaphosa, who became president of the party and the country.
Mashatile also became deputy president of South Africa, succeeding David Mabuza, who resigned due to health reasons.
As deputy president, Mashatile is responsible for assisting the president in the performance of his duties and functions. He is also the head of government operations in parliament and the chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council.
Net worth
Paul Mashatile has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
He amassed his fortune from his long and successful political career, as well as from his investments and businesses.
Argumentative
Paul Mashatile has faced a number of controversies and criticisms during his political career. He has been accused of corruption, nepotism and factionalism within the ANC and government.
He has also been involved in a number of scandals and controversies, such as:
The Alexandra Regeneration Project (ARP) is a multi-billion rand project to upgrade and develop the town of Alexandra but has been marred by allegations of mismanagement, fraud and irregularities.
Mashatile was MEC for housing and local government when the project was launched in 2001 and has been accused of failing to monitor and account for the project’s funding and outcomes.
The Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA), a provincial body set up to promote and facilitate economic growth and development in Gauteng, was dissolved in 2010 after an investigation found the agency was involved in corruption, mismanagement and wasteful spending.
Mashatile was Gauteng premier when the agency was formed in 2008 and has been accused of appointing his allies and confidants to its board and management.
The VBS Mutual Bank scandal was a financial scandal involving the looting and bankruptcy of a small bank serving rural and poor communities in South Africa.
Mashatile was the ANC’s treasurer-general when the scandal broke in 2018 and is accused of receiving donations from banks and executives for party campaigns and activities.
Mashatile has denied any wrongdoing or involvement in these and other controversies. He maintains that he is innocent and has always acted in the best interests of his people and the country.
Social media
- Twitter Name: @PaulMashtile
- Instagram handle: @paulmashatile
