‘Politicians have nothing to teach you’, Herman Mashaba warns entrepreneurs

As South Africa gets into election mode, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has warned the business sector not to listen to promises made by politicians, who he labelled a “dangerous species”.

Mashaba was addressing the South African Future Trust Summit in Gallagher Estate on Thursday. The trust is an initiative founded by the Oppenheimer Foundation aimed at uplifting small and medium-sized businesses.

“Please let it be the last time you invite us as politicians to talk to entrepreneurs. We are a dangerous species. We do not have anything to teach you other than ideology,” he said. 

Mashaba told entrepreneurs to be sceptical of the government’s promises about assisting them. 

“Do not buy into the government telling you what they are going to do for you. They are not going to do it. Politicians are there to do it for themselves and for themselves only. Do not ever be misled by politicians like me telling you ‘I am going to do it for you’. If ever you are going to be successful in business, you are going to do it yourself, with your own initiative and nothing else.”