
Political analyst unpacks lessons SA can learn from China
READ: SA-China relations | Mashatile heads to China to boost trade ties
There is a correlation between high-caliber leadership and economic development in comparison to China and South Africa, where the latter is plagued by issues of poor governance that impact growth and investment in the country.
Political analyst, Mpumelelo Mkhabela, wrote an opinion piece on the stark contrast between China's disciplined governance and South Africa's leadership deficit.
Mkhabela discussed what South Africa can learn from China's political discipline.

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The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Piece of paradise: Inside Paul Mashatile's R28m Constantia villa
After years of speculation, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has admitted ownership of a R29 million Constantia mansion in Cape Town. The revelation was made in an official declaration of cabinet members' financial assets. In addition to a seaside villa, Mashatile also owns a family residential home in Midrand and Kelvin in Johannesburg. Paul Mashatie's luxury villa is located in Constantia Upper, a sought-after luxury neighbourhood in Cape Town. Located in a cul-de-sac in Duntaw Close, Constantia Lodge is a 4000-square-metre property with eight bedrooms, five reception rooms, and enough garage space for ten cars. It also boasts a cinema room, a bar, and an entertainment area, and views of the Constantia Valley and Kirstenbosch Gardens. According to a luxury property rental site, staying at a property costs between R15 000 and R45 000 a night. Take a look inside… According to reports, Paul Mashatile earns R3,2 million per annum as Deputy President. Mashatile also owns a R39 million mansion in Waterfall in Midrand, and another in Kelvin, Johannesburg. Bar a pension fund and an Old Mutual investment trust, he has no other assets to declare. According to luxury real estate agent Gary Phelps, Paul Mashatile's home comes with a hefty upkeep. Speaking to eNCA, he stated that this included rates and taxes up to R40 000 a month, excluding essential maintenance services. A mortgage would cost at least a quarter of a million rand a month. He added, 'You've got to earn about R1.2 million a month to qualify to buy this house.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Mashatile declares R65 million mansions in Constantia and Waterfall on R3million salary
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has come under fire after declaring ownership of the property Constantia estate in Cape Town, which he previously said was owned by his son-in-law's company. Image: X Deputy President Paul Mashatile has come under scrutiny after declaring two luxury properties worth about R65 million, despite earning just over R3 million annually, including a Constantia estate in Cape Town he previously claimed was owned by his son-in-law's company. Within a year, Mashatile declared at least two properties, including a Cape Town estate in Constantia, which he had previously denied owning. Mashatile listed the properties, one in Constantia, Cape Town, and another in Midrand, Gauteng, in the latest Parliamentary Register of Members' Interests. What has further raised eyebrows is that in last year's register, Mashatile declared smaller properties: a residential plot in Midrand measuring 1,000 by 1,200 square meters, and another in Sandton, measuring 600 by 800 square meters. This year, Mashatile declared three large residential properties: - A 4,000-square-meter estate in Constantia, Cape Town - A 9,300-square-meter home in Waterfall, Midrand - A 3,000-square-meter property in Kelvin, Johannesburg The Constantia and Waterfall properties are together valued at approximately R65 million. The Constantia property alone, which Mashatile previously denied owning, was confirmed by him to be worth R28.9 million. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Waterfall property is reportedly valued at R37 million. Mashatile previously said the Constantia property is registered under a company owned by his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo, and was purchased in May 2023. Previously, in an October 2024 media statement, his office claimed he owned no properties in Cape Town, except for a house in Kelvin that he and his late wife purchased through a bank loan. The declarations have reignited public debate about the wealth of public servants. Mashatile earns R3.16 million annually following a 2.5% increase gazetted by the Presidency in April 2024. This includes a basic salary (60% of the total package) and R120,000 per year in non-pensionable cash allowance. Last year, the Presidency approved a 2.5% salary increase for ministers, the deputy president, deputy ministers, members of parliament, and other public representatives, effective retroactively from April 1, 2024. Other perks of office include government-funded housing, vehicles, travel benefits, and VIP protection services, all funded by taxpayers. Despite these benefits, critics argue it remains unclear how Mashatile could afford such high-value properties on his official salary alone. Mashatile's office has consistently denied that he personally owns the luxury properties. With the Waterfall case, his spokesperson Keith Khoza said that the home was purchased jointly by his sons and son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo, through a normal bank loan and is used as a family residence due to its enhanced security. The office also denied reports that his sons, Thabiso Mashatile and Tinyiko Mvelase, received tenders from departments Mashatile once oversaw while in the Gauteng government. 'No provincial or national department under the Deputy President's oversight has ever awarded, been accused of awarding, or investigated for awarding tenders to any companies linked to his family,' Khoza said. Khoza also denied past claims that Nonkwelo is under investigation by the Hawks for funding the Constantia purchase, saying that he is a businessman from an established entrepreneurial family. He added that Nonkwelo's business activities are independent and not tied to government tenders, except for a 2013 loan from the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF). That loan and the related project were investigated by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements in 2023. 'The Deputy President had no involvement in the loan, which was issued during his tenure as Minister of Arts and Culture and not while he was in the Gauteng government,' said Khoza. Meanwhile, questions remain about how Nonkwelo acquired money to purchase a nearly R30-million home in Cape Town. According to reports, the Hawks are investigating the source of the funds used for purchasing the R28.9 million property. IOL News has reached out to the Hawks' national spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo for comment which will be added once received. IOL Politics


eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
Mashatile declares luxury home after denial
CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has finally declared ownership of a R28.9 million home in Cape Town's affluent Constantia suburb, putting an end to two years of denials. The disclosure has sparked renewed concerns about transparency and the display of wealth by public officials particularly in light of Mashatile's portfolio of other multimillion-rand properties.