Paul Mashatile is a South African politician and member of the African National Congress (ANC).
He has served in various leadership positions within the ANC and the government, including as Premier of Gauteng, the country’s economic heartland, and currently as Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
Paul Mashatile was born in 1957 in Atteridgeville, a township west of Pretoria. He began his political career in the 1980s as a member of the ANC Youth League, where he was actively involved in fighting apartheid. He was arrested and imprisoned several times during this period for his political activities.
After the fall of apartheid in 1994, Mashatile was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, where he served as the ANC’s Chief Whip. In 2000, he was appointed the provincial MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, a position he held until his election as Premier of Gauteng in 2008. He served as Premier of Gauteng from May 2008 to May 2014.
As Premier, Mashatile was credited with implementing policies that helped improve the province’s economic growth and social development. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, which aimed to improve the coordination and planning of development in the province.
After serving as Premier, Mashatile was appointed as Minister of Arts and Culture, a position he held until 2019. In 2019, he was appointed Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. He still holds this position. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the development and promotion of the country’s cultural and creative industries, as well as the promotion of science and technology.
Mashatile has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the poor and marginalized, and is known for his strong commitment to social justice and equality. He is also a strong supporter of the arts and culture and has been instrumental in promoting the development of the country’s creative industries.
Throughout his career, Mashatile has been actively involved in the ANC and has held several leadership positions within the party. He is currently a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and has served as the ANC’s Gauteng Chairperson.
As a member of the NEC, Mashatile has been a vocal advocate for the renewal of the party, calling for the ANC to become more responsive to the needs of the people and more accountable to its members. He is also a strong supporter of the party’s alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
In summary, Paul Mashatile is a respected political figure in South Africa, known for his strong commitment to social justice and equality, and has played a key role in shaping the country’s political and economic landscape as a leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and as a Premier and Minister in the government.
He was born as the son of Mr. Mashatile and Marriam Nomvula Mashatile. His mother was a domestic worker, his father a layman.
