For my Country: Why I Blew the Whistle on Zuma and the Guptas

by Themba Maseko

'When I joined the struggle as a 13-year-old boy in Soweto, I would never have imagined that one day I would blow the whistle on a special kind of corruption that was destroying the party and the values I had been fighting for all my life.'In 2010, government spokesperson Themba Maseko was called to the Gupta family's Saxonwold compound and asked by Ajay Gupta to divert the government's entire advertising budget to the family's media company. When Maseko refused to do so, he was removed from his position and forced to leave the public service. The life of this once-proud civil servant would never be the same again.Maseko, whose activism was forged in the Soweto uprising of 1976, is a product of the struggle, and has always been unfailingly loyal to the principles of the ANC. In 2016, when the party called on members with evidence of wrongdoing by the Guptas to step forward, Maseko was the only one to do so. For this courageous act of whistleblowing, he was ostracised, slandered and even threatened.As a former senior state official, Maseko also offers a rare insider's view of the presidencies of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma and of the inner workings of government.Compelling and revelatory, For My Country shows what it takes to stand up for one's principles and defy the most powerful man in the country.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2021

Reviews

[Bruce Harbour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not riveting autobiography of his impeccable credentials in the struggle, driven by a sincere desire to improve the lives of the disenfranchised, only to see the ugly side of corruption, be pressured from the top to participate, and when his integrity wouldn't allow it, to be outcast and shunned. When he spoke out as a whistle-blower it was at huge personal cost to himself, his family and his livelihood. Quite sad that whistle-blowers suffer in this way.

[Regine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down.

What stood out most for me was the theme of integrity, and the reminder of why governance structures exist in the first place. State capture, as Maseko so clearly shows, takes root when people are driven by greed and disregard the rules.

He shares his journey with honesty and depth — from his early years as an activist, through the hopeful days of our new democracy, and into the harsh reality of state capture. I’m deeply grateful to him for having the courage to be the first whistleblower. It could not have been easy, especially being ostracised by former friends and social circles. His entire family felt the impact.

The book is sensitively written and genuinely moved me. It reminded me that there are still people who have fought — and continue to fight — for the soul of our beautiful country.

That said, I am still left wondering: how is it that the Guptas have not been brought to book?

[Steve Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My leader, I salute you for your integrity and principles. South Africa needs more people like you. I am a member of ActionSA, and have great respect for Herman Mashaba. I truly believe the 2 of you should meet for a coffee!!!!! (That is if you have not already done so). We need leaders who will put the people first and the party second. I wish you all the best going forward.
Steve turnersteve643@gmail.com

[Nathanmotj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting turn pager

I believe that this book should be recommended reading for all public officials. Similarly also for private workers as most of the employees are the ones who are also complicit with corruption. I enjoyed the easy writing. Most especially how he integrated all his facets into this totem.

[Tshepo Seiphetlho · Rating 3 out of 5]

It a well presented but only starts to be relevant from Chapter 8 when the author focuses on the subject matter.