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BOOK REVIEW: Unmasking Paul Mashatile’s Rise in South African Politics
The arrival of a new year often encourages reflection on themes such as leadership, power, and the pathways that shape those who aspire to govern. It feels particularly fitting, then, to revisit the stories that lie behind South Africa’s political elite.
I recently completed The Dark Prince by investigative journalist and author Pieter du Toit. The book offers a detailed account of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s formative years, beginning with his modest upbringing on a farm outside Johannesburg where he lived with his parents, and moving through his early involvement in anti-apartheid movements during his high school years.
These formative experiences became the foundation from which Mashatile immersed himself fully in the struggles of ordinary South Africans, aligning with the masses and the marginalized who were suffocating under the heavy burden of apartheid.
His activism came at a cost. Mashatile was arrested and spent several years in prison. Today, he holds the position of deputy president of the ANC and has made it clear that his ambitions extend further, with his sights set on ultimately leading both the party and the republic.
Du Toit’s narrative moves seamlessly through Mashatile’s early life in Gauteng under apartheid, his participation in resistance movements, and his eventual role in establishing organizations that sought to dismantle a system condemned by the United Nations as a crime against humanity.
Yet the book does not shy away from probing questions. Du Toit interrogates Mashatile’s credibility, his moral compass, and his ethical conduct as a public leader. He highlights the controversies that have surrounded him, including corruption scandals and allegations that he benefited from the generosity of individuals and companies that secured lucrative state contracts and tenders.
Ultimately, The Dark Prince attempts to strip away the façade and reveal Mashatile’s flaws, examining both his weaknesses and whatever strengths he may possess, as he quietly positions himself to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2029.
What are your thoughts on the prospect of a Mashatile presidency? Share your views in the comments, and remember to follow me on X/Twitter for more engaging content: @luyolomkentane.
I recently completed The Dark Prince by investigative journalist and author Pieter du Toit. The book offers a detailed account of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s formative years, beginning with his modest upbringing on a farm outside Johannesburg where he lived with his parents, and moving through his early involvement in anti-apartheid movements during his high school years.
These formative experiences became the foundation from which Mashatile immersed himself fully in the struggles of ordinary South Africans, aligning with the masses and the marginalized who were suffocating under the heavy burden of apartheid.
His activism came at a cost. Mashatile was arrested and spent several years in prison. Today, he holds the position of deputy president of the ANC and has made it clear that his ambitions extend further, with his sights set on ultimately leading both the party and the republic.
Du Toit’s narrative moves seamlessly through Mashatile’s early life in Gauteng under apartheid, his participation in resistance movements, and his eventual role in establishing organizations that sought to dismantle a system condemned by the United Nations as a crime against humanity.
Yet the book does not shy away from probing questions. Du Toit interrogates Mashatile’s credibility, his moral compass, and his ethical conduct as a public leader. He highlights the controversies that have surrounded him, including corruption scandals and allegations that he benefited from the generosity of individuals and companies that secured lucrative state contracts and tenders.
Ultimately, The Dark Prince attempts to strip away the façade and reveal Mashatile’s flaws, examining both his weaknesses and whatever strengths he may possess, as he quietly positions himself to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2029.
What are your thoughts on the prospect of a Mashatile presidency? Share your views in the comments, and remember to follow me on X/Twitter for more engaging content: @luyolomkentane.
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