A humble start

Herman Mashaba grew up in rural Hammanskraal , in a single ‒ parent household lacking any of the stability a young child would normally require ‒ something that instilled a strong sense of personal independence from a young age .

While he may be best-known for his business ‒ savvy and subsequent success , the Mayor is all too familiar with the perils that accompany an instable household . After the death of his father , two ‒ year old Mashaba and his mother were thrust into a situation that many

South Africans are forced into . As a domestic worker , his mother was unable to provide a home to her family . This , Mashaba says , meant that they were forced to move from one house to the next ‒ usually belonging to migrant workers who left home to work in the city . Mashaba ’ s own mother was oftentimes away from her son for months on end , having to live in Johannesburg to earn a living .

It doesn ’ t come as much of a surprise , then , that the Mayor has placed such a premium on improving the living conditions of the poor in his city . Speaking to us about his 10 point plan for the City of Johannesburg , Mashaba makes it clear that his move into the political sphere was one inspired by his own past ‒ and the will to “ use political office to give young South Africans the same opportunities that [ he ] had , to make a success of themselves .”

While many may have been sceptical of this list , making it out to be little more than empty promises , the subsequent months showed promising results . At the State of the City Address in May of this year , nine months after taking office , Mashaba pointed to specific steps that had been taken to improve matters in the City . His office ’ s aim , the Mayor says , is “ to be in tune with the people they serve .”

Social change This month , it has been a full year since Mashaba took office as Mayor . From the outset , it was clear that this administration would be focused on bringing about sustainable change to those who need it most , or as the Mayor puts it , be “ pro ‒ poor .” The emphasis has been squarely placed on providing much ‒ needed , and better utilised , funding to those most vulnerable to economic shocks . This starts with two core issues : unemployment and education .

As Mashaba points out , the issue of education is not wholly within reach of local government , but steps can be taken to bring about meaningful change within the City . This involves the improvement of Early Childhood Development , in partnership with the Hollard Foundation . Admitted to the University of the North in 1979 to study a degree in public administration and political science , Mashaba is passionate about growth and the fact that “ education was the key to making a better life ” for himself . It is this yearning to learn and grow that led to him establishing his successful business , Black Like Me , in 1985 .

AUGUST 2017 SA Real Estate Investor 9