Paul Mashatile will soon be sworn in as an African National Congress (ANC) member of parliament, a move that is intended to pave the way for his selection as the country’s vice president. Mashatile became an official member of parliament on 1 February 2023 and must now take his oath. The ANC nominated him after Tshilidzi Munyai’s resignation from the House of Representatives last week.
Mashatile was elected ANC vice president, a coveted position he will assume at the ANC’s national conference in December 2022. He will serve under party president Cyril Ramaphosa. The current vice president of South Africa, David Mabuza, reportedly informed President Ramaphosa that he would be willing to resign.
Mashatile stated in January that he would be willing to serve the country if nominated by his party.
“For the time being, I’ve been elected vice president of the ANC and work at Luthuli House.” If I am ever invited to join the administration, I will do so,” he was reported as telling Sowetan Live.
Paul Mashatile, like many of his compatriots, was involved in the struggle and began in student politics. According to the ANC, he was held without trial from 1985 to 1989 and engaged in a nearly three-week hunger strike as part of a statewide protest.
His full name is Paul Shipokosa Mashatile, and he was born in Pretoria on October 21, 1961.
Before being elected vice president, Mashatile served as the party’s general treasurer. He had previously served as the chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng and the premier of the province from 2008 and 2009.
-Mashatile is regarded as one of the most influential and prominent members of the ANC in Gauteng.
He is the father of two sons and two daughters. In 2020, his wife, Manzi Ellen Mashatile, passed away.
-He has also held other official positions, including under former president Jacob Zuma.
David Mabuza
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