Nathaniel Mashile branding Emmerson Mnangagwa’s campaign bakkies

The information began to surface about two weeks ago when two of his friends posted the photos of the bakkies on social media, with the words: “MBE waya waya”.

“MBE Promotions” is the name of the company owned by Ehlanzeni ANC deputy secretary Nathaniel Mashile.

Mashile is ANC deputy president DD Mabuza’s close ally and made news in October 2014 when he began dishing out R200 notes to DJs and anybody on sight during Sushi King Kenny Kunene’s party at a Johannesburg night club.

Sources privy to Mashile’s activities said Mashile was doing “sample” for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF.

He said it was through “hustling” that Mashile got to be afforded the chance to brand the bakkies of that country’s ruling party.

“The agreement started somewhere in March [2018],” the source said in sms reply.

MBE Promotions is known for branding the Mpumalanga ANC’s campaign trucks and bakkies as well as fitting them with speakers.

Others say the company is also involved in organising ANC rallies in the province but 013NEWS could not independently confirm this.

“[Zanu PF] asked him to do only five as a sample,” another source told the 013NEWS reporter.

“It’s not only comrade Mnangagwa who wants him to brand cars. Two other African countries have also requested he comes after they heard about the ANC and Zim ones,” the source said.

Mashile was re-elected in June 2017 to once more come serve as the deputy secretary of the eHlanzeni region together with secretary Phazamisa Mathe, deputy chair Sibusiso Mathonsi and chair Ngrayi Ngwenya.

Momotho Thumbathi was also re-elected the regional treasurer.

Ehlanzeni is Mabuza’s stronghold – the region where his branch in Barberton is and the ANC’s second largest region.

When asked this week, Mashile said he doesn’t speak about his “business in the media”.

“Media won’t put money in my account. I do away with media,” he said over the phone when asked whether his company was now “going international”.

“Sorry. Bye,” he said, before putting the phone down.

The Zanu-PF had not yet replied to an enquiry sent on their main party e-mail at the time of publishing.

(edited by ZK)

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