Herman Mashaba

The Honourable
Herman Mashaba
Mashaba in 2019
President of ActionSA
Founder of ActionSA
Incumbent
Assumed office
29 August 2020
Preceded byParty founded
Mayor of Johannesburg
In office
22 August 2016 – 27 November 2019
Preceded byParks Tau
Succeeded byGeoff Makhubo
Member of the Johannesburg City Council
In office
22 November 2021 – 31 January 2022
In office
22 August 2016 – 27 November 2019
Personal details
Born
Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba

(1959-08-26) 26 August 1959 (age 65)
Hammanskraal, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
CitizenshipSouth Africa
Political partyActionSA
(2020–present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Alliance
(2014–2019)
SpouseConnie Mashaba
Profession
  • Politician
  • entrepreneur

Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba (born 26 August 1959) is a South African politician, entrepreneur and the current president of ActionSA, a party he launched on 29 August 2020. He served as the Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019. He is the founder of the hair product company Black Like Me.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] He is famous in South Africa for his background:[9][10] he grew up struggling against poverty, and claims to have struggled against the apartheid government, to open his own hair business, which became the biggest hair brand in South Africa, making him a millionaire.[11][12][13] He publicly backed Mmusi Maimane in the Democratic Alliance leadership race.[14][6] He wrote the autobiography Black Like You and his campaign manager, Michael Beaumont, recently published a biography called "The Accidental Mayor".[15] A biography of Mashaba later published by Prince Mashele was referred to as "unauthorised" until it controversially emerged that Mashaba himself had paid Mashele R12.5million for the project.[16] Mashaba refers to himself as a libertarian and "capitalist crusader" whose highest value is "individual freedom."[17]

On 22 August 2016, Mashaba was elected Mayor of Johannesburg by the first sitting of the city council following countrywide local government elections.[18] He announced his resignation on 21 October 2019[19] and left office on 27 November 2019.

After launching his new party, Mashaba announced he would run for Mayor of Johannesburg again in the 2021 municipal elections, this time as the ActionSA candidate.[20]

Early life and career

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Mashaba was brought up in near-poverty in GaRamotse in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria by his sisters while his mother worked to provide for the family.

His older brother dropped out of school at 15, moving from one unsubstantial job to another. Mashaba realised that acquiring an education would be crucial for him to break out of the cycle of poverty. He graduated from high school but did not complete his tertiary education.

His first two jobs were as a clerk at Spar and then at a furniture manufacturer.[21] After two years he was able to buy a car. He started selling "SuperKurl" African hair-care products and became their number-one earner.[21] He soon realised that these products excited him and that he wasn't content to be just an employee.[22]

He partnered with his white Afrikaner colleague at SuperKurl Johan Kriel and fellow salesman Joseph Molwantwa to launch the company, Black Like Me. It was launched on Valentine's Day in 1985 with a R 30,000 loan from Mashaba's friend, businessman Walter Dube.[23][24][25] Mashaba later bought out Kriel and Molwantwa.

In 2002 Black Like Me launched in the UK; this meant that Mashaba made history as owner and CEO of the first black-owned South African company to sell its products in the UK and international markets.[26]

Over the years he has invested and has business interests in various sectors: mining, construction, exhibitions, real estate, security, aviation and IT.[27]

Mashaba is also a music lover. After five years of secret lessons, he revealed himself as a pianist.[28]

Politics

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From 2012 until May 2014, Mashaba served as chairman of the Free Market Foundation (FMF).[29] He stepped down from his position when he joined the Democratic Alliance as an "ordinary card-carrying member", citing the need for the Foundation to remain politically impartial.[30]

Mashaba announced in December 2015 that he would accept a nomination to stand as a Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg in the 2016 local government elections. The other possible DA candidate was Rabelani Dagada.[31]

Mayor of Johannesburg

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In the municipal election on 3 August 2016, the ruling party, The African National Congress, lost their majority in Johannesburg, taking only 44.12% of the vote with the Democratic Alliance taking 38.33%.[32] The Democratic Alliance entered into conversations with the Economic Freedom Fighters to form a coalition. Whilst the EFF declined the offer, they agreed that they would vote for Mashaba as the Mayor of Johannesburg, despite misgivings.[33]

On 22 August 2016, Mashaba was sworn in as a Johannesburg City Councillor. Later that day, he was sworn in as the Mayor of Johannesburg, the first non-ANC Johannesburg mayor since 1994. On 21 October 2019, he announced his resignation as mayor because of differences with DA party leadership.[34] His resignation took effect on 27 November 2019.[35]

Labour

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Mashaba has characterised the ANC's post-Apartheid labour laws as "draconian".[29]

He led a Constitutional Court challenge by the FMF, arguing that Section 32 of the Labour Relations Act is unconstitutional.[29] The FMF argued that the bargaining council process reduces competition, as smaller businesses may not be able to afford the higher wages agreed on between larger businesses and unions, contributing further to South Africa's unemployment rate.[36]

Post-mayoral career

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Mashaba formed The People's Dialogue, a medium to interact with ordinary South Africans and discuss social and civil issues, which launched on 6 December 2019, and closed on 29 February 2020.[37][38] The funding sources for this initiative have never been made public.

After considering running for Mayor of Johannesburg under a different party banner,[39] Mashaba launched the new political party, ActionSA, on 29 August 2020.[40] Mashaba claimed that the funding for the party came "from my own pocket, & supporters on the ground" but this has never been verified and it appears to be contradicte.[41][42] In 2021 it was revealed that in the first quarter of the year ActionSA had received more than R3.3 million in funding from donors above the threshold of R100,000, of which only R121,490 was from Mashaba's company Black Like Me and R2.5million came from the Israeli-South African businessman Martin Moshal.[43][44] In the second quarter of 2021 the party received a further large donation of R5million from Moshal and three donations totalling R10million from members of the Oppenheimer family.[42][44][45]

IEC records show that Mashaba amongst South Africa's party leaders,has invested the most money towards his own party after pumping millions behind ActionSA.[46]

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Mashaba criticized the ruling ANC party for refusing to cut ties with Russia.[47]

After the 2024 elections ActionSA announced that Mashaba would not be going to parliament, that he would be focusing on building the party ahead of the next local elections.[48]

In a press conference Mashaba said he did not need the salary of a member of parliament as he is privileged and his family can take care of him, he further elaborated that he would rather be focusing on teaching South Africans on the danger of politics of identity. After the election results "scared" him because people voted based on identity.[49]

Public profile

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Allegations of xenophobia

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See also: Xenophobia in South Africa

Mashaba has made numerous public comments and actions that have been considered xenophobic and linked to incidence of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiment.[50][51] He has said South Africa has "nothing to apologise for" in reference to xenophobic violence occurring during his tenure as Johannesburg mayor.[52][53] It is said that Mashaba leaves a xenophobic legacy and Mashaba may have been responsible for igniting a wave of xenophobic rhetoric in South African politics.[54] Mashaba is reported to have attended a sensitivity program on diversity by the Human Rights Commission.[55]

Support for death penalty

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Mashaba is in support of the reintroduction of the death penalty in South Africa but only for rape and murder.[56]

Authoritarian states

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Mashaba has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Rwanda, which he has described as a "shining example of what is possible".[25]

Affirmative action

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Before becoming a politician Mashaba called for the abolition of all race-based legislation.[23]

References

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  1. ^ Wanneburg, Gershwin. "Can Black Like Me millionaire Mashaba be ordinary DA member?". www.enca.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Where will the rainbow end?". The Economist. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Stocks". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Herman Mashaba on BEE, Labour laws and the state of education". BizNews.com. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Business divided over industrialists scheme | IOL Business Report". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b "BusinessLIVE". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  7. ^ Mbindwane, Bongani. "Unregulated wages: the curse of the disposable worker | Daily Maverick". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Why I'm joining the DA - Herman Mashaba - PARTY | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  9. ^ "South African Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs | Fin24". Fin24. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  10. ^ Madondo, Bongani. "Capitalists like me: It's time to speak truth to power". The M&G Online. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  11. ^ Nicolson, Greg. "Herman Mashaba: Scrap the Licensing of Business Bill and limit bargaining councils | Daily Maverick". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Jobs at risk if government bans labour brokers: Herman Mashaba – chairman, Free Market Foundation". Moneyweb. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Labour law isn't right". Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Herman Mashaba backs Maimane". DailySun. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  15. ^ "On a mission for black founders". Financial Times. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  16. ^ News24wire (23 May 2023). "Prince Mashele: I was not legally obligated to say if Mashaba funded the 'unauthorised' biography".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "Libertarian Herman Mashaba elected mayor of Johannesburg". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Mayor Mashaba – Corruption is public enemy number 1". News24. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  19. ^ Feketha, Siviwe (21 October 2019). "Herman Mashaba: Why I am resigning from the DA". IOL. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  20. ^ "Herman Mashaba wants to be Joburg mayor again, rules out coalition with the ANC". News24. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  21. ^ a b Staff Writer (17 December 2021). "How Herman Mashaba Turned A R30 000 Loan To A $100 Million Net Worth". entrepreneurhubsa.co.za. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  22. ^ (Book titled "South Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs", compiled by Moky Makura, article written by Isabella Morris)
  23. ^ a b Forbes Africa (1 December 2015). "'How I Survived Was A Miracle'". Forbes. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Story of Black Like Me, and the man behind it | The Star". Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  25. ^ a b Bishop, Chris (27 April 2022). "Billionaire Today". Billionaire Tomorrow. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  26. ^ Black Like Me launches into the UK
  27. ^ "Empowerment Pioneer – Herman Mashaba". topempowerment.co.za. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  28. ^ "On the streets with Herman Mashaba". CityPress. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  29. ^ a b c Ziady, Hanna (5 February 2016). "ANC policies keeping black people poor, says Herman Mashaba". Moneyweb. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  30. ^ "FMF chairman steps down to join the DA". Moneyweb. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  31. ^ "Herman Mashaba announced as DA's Joburg mayoral candidate". News24. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Results Summary - All Ballots" (PDF). Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  33. ^ "EFF will vote for Mashaba, says Malema". News24. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  34. ^ Manyathela, Clement. "Victory for DA as Herman Mashaba is elected Mayor of Johannesburg".
  35. ^ "Mashaba resigns as Johannesburg mayor following Zille's return". The Citizen. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  36. ^ Radebe, Kentse (5 March 2013). "Collusion in labour legislation decision-making". Moneyweb. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  37. ^ "WATCH: Mashaba launches dialogue platform for social change [video]". IOL. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  38. ^ "The four big things Herman Mashaba says his new party will focus on". The Citizen News. Citizen. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  39. ^ Nkenjani, Unathi (18 December 2019). "Herman Mashaba will consider another mayoral term if SA calls for it". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  40. ^ Deklerk, Aphiwe (29 August 2020). "Former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba launches his new ACTIONSA party". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  41. ^ Mashaba, Herman (10 March 2020). "@HermanMashaba". Twitter. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  42. ^ a b Gerber, Jan; Khumalo, Juniour; Hunter, Qaanitah (19 November 2021). "ActionSA donor 'gets good return on investment', while Naspers says it will donate R1m to ANC, DA". News24. Retrieved 14 April 2023. Beaumont added the relationship between ActionSA and its current donors was forged some time ago, saying some of them did not appear on the party's donor submission list because they had made donations that were less than the R100 000 threshold.
  43. ^ "IEC releases inaugural quarterly report on party funding". SANews. 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  44. ^ a b IEC (14 April 2023). "Party funding: Published declarations reports". elections.org.za. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  45. ^ Herald Reporter (18 November 2021). "Millions donated to ActionSA by Oppenheimer heirs". Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  46. ^ Goba, Thabiso. "Political party funding: Where the DA, ActionSA, PA and others get their donations". EWN. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Russia's reengagement with Africa pays off | DW | 09.03.2022". DW. 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  48. ^ "Mashaba and Beaumont Step Back from Parliament to Focus on the Growth of ActionSA". 5 June 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  49. ^ Hogg, Alec (6 June 2024). "Mashaba doubles down on 'Rainbow Nation' dream of SA overcoming race-based politics". Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  50. ^ "South Africa: Years of impunity for xenophobic crimes driving the latest attacks". Amnesty International. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  51. ^ "Right2Know blames Mashaba, Ramaphosa, Zwelithini for attacks on foreigners". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba on xenophobia: 'There is nothing to apologise for'". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  53. ^ "Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba on xenophobia: 'There is nothing to apologise for'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  54. ^ "Mashaba's xenophobic legacy". The Mail & Guardian. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  55. ^ "Johannesburg Mayor Mashaba attend sensitivity programme at HRC". www.sahrc.org.za. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  56. ^ Mashaba, Herman (6 February 2020). "Herman Mashaba: SA needs death penalty for murder and rape". City Press. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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