Prince Mashele’s four-point plan to fix South Africa

Political analyst Prince Mashele has outlined a four-point plan to address what he calls South Africa’s leadership, corruption, and economic crises. 

In a recent wide-ranging interview with SMWX, Mashele said the country must focus on substantive reforms rather than short-term political events.

“Before we talk about elections, because elections are events that come and go, let’s talk about the substance.”

“What is it that we would need to have in place in order to pull back our country from the brink?”

For Mashele, these include:

• Confronting political criminals head-on;
• Restoring ethical and competent leadership;
• Focusing on quality education for Black South Africans; and
• Building a market-based economy governed by a competent state

1) Confront political criminals head-on

Mashele said tackling corruption must be the country’s top priority. 

He called for strong and capable leadership in the police service and a focused campaign against what he terms “political criminals,” including anyone involved in high-level procurement scandals.

“We have a category of criminals that are a priority for our country. They are called political criminals… We must follow the money, follow those. We must get them into prison. All of them,” said Mashele.

He emphasised that no one, including the president, should be above the law if found guilty.

“If he’s found to have committed crime, he must wear orange uniform without us  apologising.”

2) Restore ethical and competent leadership

Mashele described South Africa as facing a severe leadership crisis, with many in Parliament unqualified to hold office. 

“The people who occupy leadership positions are not the best of us. In fact, they’re the worst. They are scoundrels. If you look at Parliament, more than 80% of people who sit in Parliament shouldn’t be there.”

He stressed the need for merit-based appointments that combine competence and ethical consciousness, arguing that leadership must be sourced from the nation’s best citizens.

“We must say without apologizing. We need educated South Africans, the best of us, both black and white into positions of leadership. Competence and ethical consciousness.”

3) Focus on quality education

Quality education, Mashele said, should be a national priority, particularly for previously disadvantaged populations, as quality education is the greatest empowerment mechanism. 

As shown in the study from Stellenbosch University, Low quality education as a poverty trap, South Africa is marked by stark income inequality, with a persistent racial dimension despite efforts to transform the economy.

Their research found that poor-quality education in disadvantaged communities entrenches marginalisation.

Education remains the primary pathway for poor individuals to access top-tier labour market opportunities, offering both personal advancement and the potential to dismantle apartheid-era social structures.

Despite this potential, their study shows that by age eight, large gaps in performance already exist between children from affluent communities (top 20%) and those from poorer communities (bottom 80%).

Mashele said that this needs to drastically change, and warned that disruptions to learning, including attacks on schools, should carry serious consequences, equating such acts with treason.

“We need to focus on quality education for black people… If you burn an educational institution or even a clinic you need to go to jail.”

He said ensuring access to quality education is essential for improving the lives of the majority and for the country’s long-term development.

4) Build a market-based economy governed by a competent state

Mashele called for a free-market-based economy and rejected socialist approaches, citing their historical failures globally. 

He said the state must be competent and capable of ensuring that economic growth benefits the nation.

“Our economy must be market-based… Even the Chinese by the way, they realise this socialism thing has failed. They turned around.”

He added that combining a market economy with competent governance is critical for South Africa’s recovery.

The way forward

While critical of President Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he called “a liar and a professional denialist,” Mashele stressed that constitutional processes must be respected. 

He does not advocate early elections but urges citizens to prepare for the next scheduled vote.

“Even as I say that Ramaphosa is a disappointment, I will be the first to take up arms in defense of the completion of his tenure in office because that in a sense is the defense of the Constitution.”

“It is sacrosanct. Nobody must touch it.

Mashele concluded that the country must act decisively to restore integrity, strengthen governance, and rebuild institutions. 

He emphasised that these reforms are long-term projects that will require coalition-building, competent leadership, and a focus on education and economic recovery.