Paul Shiposka Mashatile is a politician from South Africa who serves as the Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
He served as the ANC Treasurer General from December 2017 and Acting ANC Secretary-General from January before being elected to that office in December 2022.
Paul Mashatile, a former United Democratic Front anti-apartheid activist, served as Minister of Arts and Culture in President Jacob Zuma’s first government from 2010 until 2014. Before that, he served as the province of Gauteng’s interim premier from 2008 to 2009.
He held several cabinet positions in the Gauteng provincial government between 1996 and 2008. He is still pretty powerful in Gauteng, where he was also the ANC Provincial Chairperson from 2007 to 2017.
Mashatile is unquestionably a well-known figure in South African politics. He was one of the leaders that worked to end colonial oppression in South Africa.
What else about Paul Mashatile can you tell besides these quick facts? Read on to discover more about his personal and professional life.
Paul Mashatile: Early Life And Education
Paul Mashatile was born on October 21, 1961, in Gerhardsville, Tshwane, in the current province of Gauteng. Mashatile’s mother was a domestic worker named Marriam Nomvul, whereas his father was a lay priest.
Mashatile went to Alexandra High School in Gauteng province for his school studies. He continued his education at the University of London, where he completed his post-graduation in Economic Fundamentals.
Paul Mashatile: As An Activist
Mashatile began his political career as an anti-apartheid activist in Gauteng while studying in college. He worked with Obed Bapala and others as an activist during his studies.
He co-founded the Alexandra You Congress and was a member of the Congress of South African Students, serving as its first president in 1983. The United Democratic Front (UDF) was established in Cape Town that year, and he represented the Alexandra Youth Congress there.
Two years later, he succeeded Valli Moosa as the UDF’s regional secretary for the Southern Transvaal, a position he held until the UDF dissolved in 1991. He was jailed without charge until 1989 after being arrested for his political involvement in 1985.
Paul Mashatile: Political Career
Paul Mashatile has been active in South African politics from a very young age. As we mentioned earlier, Mashatile’s political activities began during his studies. He served as the United Democratic Front’s general secretary between 1985 and 1991.
He took part in the renowned 18-day nationwide hunger strike while serving the UDF. he was named to the Interim Leadership Group of the ANC in the PWV region before leaving his position with UDF in 1991.
Under the direction of the former president, Kgalema Motlanthe, he provided three years of service to the region.
Mashatile got elected to the Gauteng Provincial Assembly following the end of apartheid in 1994, where he served as the ANC’s Chief Whip.
Before he was elected Gauteng’s premier in 2008, he served as the province’s Member of the Executive Council for arts, culture, science, and technology since his appointment in 2000. He presided over Gauteng as premier from May 2008 until May 2014.
Mashatile has been appointed Minister of Arts and Culture after serving as Premier, a position he held till 2019. He was appointed Minister of Arts, Culture, Science, and Technology in 2019. He still is in that position as the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science, and Technology.
Mashatile has been actively involved in the ANC throughout his career and has held several senior positions within the organization. He previously served as the ANC’s Gauteng Chairman and is currently a part of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Paul Mashatile serves under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration due to his qualifications and expertise in politics and administrative roles. He has served as the ANC Treasurer General since 2017. He has been the Deputy President of ANC since December 2022.
As a leader of the ANC, a premier and Minister in the government, and a well-known political figure in South Africa, Mashatile is renowned for his commitment and dedication to social justice and equality. He has helped to shape the political and economic landscape of South Africa.
Paul Mashatile: Controversies
Mashatile has frequently been named as a major figure in the so-called Alex Mafia, a group of politicians and businessmen with no ties to the anti-apartheid movement in Alexandra township whose use was outlawed in the Gauteng assembly in 2010.
Nkenke Kekana and Mike Maile, the brother of Gauteng politician Lebogang Maile, are two further alleged mafia members.
Mashatile, while serving as the finance minister at the time, created a small sensation in June 2006 when he spent R96,000 on a single supper for the government workers at a luxury French restaurant in Sandton using his government credit card.
Mashatile was cleared by the Gauteng Integrity Commissioner in a subsequent investigation of this allegation of using his government credit card for his expenses.
A controversy was raised over allegations that the Gauteng government had misused R1.3 billion meant for the Alexandra Renewal Project, a charity program managed by Mashatile’s department. This allegation was aroused during Mashatile’s first term as Human Settlements MEC.
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Paul Mashatile: Personal Life
Mashatile was born into the family of Mr. Mashatile, who was a lay priest and his mother worked as a housekeeper.
Mashatile married Manzi Ellen Mashatile, who passed away in July 2020. The couple had two daughters and two boys.
He established the Manzi Mashatile Foundation in November 2020 as a memorial to his wife. The organization supports underprivileged students in their education and career-building.
Like most public figures, Mashatile keeps his personal life away from the public spotlight.
Paul Mashatile: Net Worth
Paul Mashatile is one of the most popular people on the list of the richest from South Africa. The 61-year-old politician from South Africa is considered to be one of the most successful people in South Africa both personally and professionally.
Paul Mahsatile is supposed to have an estimated net worth of more than $3 million. The wealth Mashatile has made so far is from his primary career as a politician.
Even though Mashatile was born into a poor family, he has made himself the wealthiest through his hard work and commitment to what he is doing professionally.
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