Paul Mashatile
Encyclopedia
Paul Mashatile is the current Minister of Arts and Culture in the Cabinet of South Africa.
He is the former Premier
of Gauteng
province in South Africa
and a member of the African National Congress
. Mashatile replaced Mbhazima Shilowa
on 7 October 2008, after Shilowa resigned in protest against the decision of the African National Congress
to remove President Thabo Mbeki
from office. Mashatile was replaced as Premier by Nomvula Mokonyane
on 6 May 2009.
As a student, Mashatile was an activist in the struggle against apartheid as a member of the Congress of South African Students, and was the co-founder and first president of the Alexandra Youth Congress. He was detained without trial from 1985-1989, and participated in a nation-wide protest by engaging in an 18-day hunger strike. When the African National Congress
and the South African Communist Party
were unbanned in 1990, he helped re-establish them and continued to organize on their behalfs. He has held various administrative positions in Guateng province, including serving in its legislature as Leader of the House.
He is the former Premier
Premier of Gauteng
The Premier of Gauteng is the head of government of the Gauteng province of South Africa.For a discussion of the election, role and powers of the Premier, see the article "Premier ".-List of Premiers of Gauteng:-See also:...
of Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
province in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and a member of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
. Mashatile replaced Mbhazima Shilowa
Mbhazima Shilowa
Mbhazima Samuel Shilowa is a South African politician. A former Premier of Gauteng province while a member of the African National Congress, Shilowa left the party to help form the opposition Congress of the People, with whom he is the Deputy President...
on 7 October 2008, after Shilowa resigned in protest against the decision of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
to remove President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
from office. Mashatile was replaced as Premier by Nomvula Mokonyane
Nomvula Mokonyane
Nomvula Mokonyane is the Premier of Gauteng province, South Africa following the 2009 South African general election. She was formerly the Gauteng MEC for Housing and has been a member of the provincial legislature since 1994...
on 6 May 2009.
As a student, Mashatile was an activist in the struggle against apartheid as a member of the Congress of South African Students, and was the co-founder and first president of the Alexandra Youth Congress. He was detained without trial from 1985-1989, and participated in a nation-wide protest by engaging in an 18-day hunger strike. When the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
and the South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party is a political party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa by the joining together of the International Socialist League and others under the leadership of Willam H...
were unbanned in 1990, he helped re-establish them and continued to organize on their behalfs. He has held various administrative positions in Guateng province, including serving in its legislature as Leader of the House.