David Masondo, a South African politician, has established himself as one of the most influential figures in South African politics. Serving as the Deputy Minister of Finance since 2019, Masondo has a multifaceted career marked by activism, leadership roles, and education. Here are 21 essential facts about David Masondo:
1. Born on November 14, 1974
David Masondo hails from Elim, a village near Makhado in Limpopo, South Africa.
2. Educational Background
Masondo has a solid educational foundation, holding a BA, Honours, and MA from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). He completed his PhD in Sociology at New York University in 2014.
3. Involvement in Student Activism
Masondo’s political journey began early. He was a student activist and served as the deputy president of the South African Students Congress (SASCO), advocating for student rights.
4. Role in the ANC Youth League
From 2003 to 2005, Masondo was the provincial chairperson of the ANC Youth League in Limpopo, rising to national prominence in youth politics.
5. Young Communist League Leadership
Masondo served as the inaugural chairperson of the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) Young Communist League from 2003 to 2010, a platform that defined much of his early political identity.
6. PhD on Post-Apartheid Automotive Policy
His PhD research, which was published in the Review of African Political Economy, focused on South Africa’s automotive industrial policy post-apartheid.
7. SACP Involvement
Masondo joined the South African Communist Party in 1993 and became an influential member, serving on the SACP Central Committee since 2007.
8. Early Work with the National Youth Commission
In 1999, Masondo was appointed to the National Youth Commission, marking his entry into formal political structures.
9. Controversy in Limpopo Government
Masondo served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Finance in Limpopo from 2011 to 2013. His department was placed under national administration in 2011 due to financial mismanagement.
10. Break from Zuma’s Leadership
Masondo became an outspoken critic of President Jacob Zuma, particularly against issues like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and corruption. His stance was in contrast to the national SACP leadership’s alignment with Zuma.
11. A Political Opponent of Zuma
Masondo’s criticism of Zuma’s policies led to significant tensions within the SACP and the ANC, where he was seen as one of the leading figures against Zuma’s re-election.
12. Return to ANC’s National Executive Committee
In 2017, Masondo was elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee, where he played a crucial role in the party’s political education efforts.
13. Principal of O. R. Tambo School of Leadership
Since 2019, Masondo has served as the principal of the ANC’s O. R. Tambo School of Leadership, an institution designed to train future political leaders within the party.
14. Appointed Deputy Minister of Finance
In 2019, following the general elections, Masondo was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
15. Member of the Public Investment Corporation
In November 2021, Masondo was appointed to chair the Public Investment Corporation, which oversees South Africa’s public pension and investment funds.
16. Involvement in Economic Reform
Masondo has been a key figure in leading South Africa’s pro-growth structural economic reform program within the Ministry of Finance.
17. Supporter of Nationalisation
In his early years, Masondo was an advocate for nationalising the mining industry, particularly championed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
18. Abuse of Power Allegation
In 2020, Masondo faced allegations of abuse of power stemming from a personal dispute. The ANC’s Integrity Commission recommended he step aside, but he chose to remain in office.
19. SACP Leadership in 2022
Masondo made a notable return to the SACP’s Central Committee in 2022, being elected unopposed as the second deputy general secretary.
20. Failed Bid for ANC Chairperson
Masondo launched a campaign to become the ANC’s national chairperson in 2022, but lost to Gwede Mantashe in a resounding defeat at the ANC’s 55th National Conference.
21. Personal Life and Philanthropy
Masondo is married and has two children. He is also the founding chairperson of the Topisa Trust, a youth development initiative in Limpopo established in honor of his late mother.