Herman Mashaba: podcast appearances and interviews

Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba, born on 26 August 1959, is a South African politician and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the hair product company Black Like Me, which became the largest hair brand in South Africa and contributed to his personal wealth. Mashaba has a background marked by his efforts to overcome poverty and his opposition to the apartheid government to establish his business. He served as the Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019, having been elected by the city council following the local government elections. Mashaba publicly announced his resignation in October 2019 and officially left office in November of that year. He is the current president of ActionSA, a political party he launched on 29 August 2020. As a leader, Mashaba describes himself as a libertarian and a capitalist crusader, emphasizing individual freedom as his highest value. He publicly supported Mmusi Maimane during the Democratic Alliance leadership race. Mashaba's autobiography is titled Black Like You, and a biography of him, called The Accidental Mayor by Michael Beaumont, was published before it was later revealed that Mashaba financed a biography by Prince Mashele, which was initially deemed unauthorised. He has announced intentions to run again for Mayor of Johannesburg, including a campaign for the 2021 municipal elections and plans to compete for his party's nomination in the 2026 South African municipal elections.