Marks Thapelo Mangaba was born in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, where he started his career at Isaac More Primary, Walton Jameson, Dr. WF Nkomo High, Phiri Kolobe High in Polokwane, and Matriculated from Central Secondary State School in 1988.
I started my tertiary education at Technical SA, UNISA, and the Durban University of Technology.
My love for politics started at an early age. My late brother Morris Mashinini was sentenced to Robben Island at 17; Godfrey Mangaba later died in the Eastern Cape. Their selflessness motivated me to fight for a better life for all. As a result of the above, I learned to survive as a single child and later dedicated my life to an activist to date.
I also started playing Softball at an early age from high school. I then Joined Jest Softball Club in 1986, where I am now the Chairperson for the past 5 years. I am also serving on the Executive of Gauteng Softball and Softball South Africa. Currently Chairing Tshwane Softball Task Team responsible for reviving softball in Tshwane and transforming within greater TSA know as Transvaal Noord Sagtebal.
My dad Succumbed to Cancer, and that left me financially constrained but to look for a job. Then Politics didn’t put bread on the table as we were only volunteers. I then Joined Transvaal Cleaners Laundry and Allied workers Union as an organizer. Along the way, I met different law firms that noticed my legal potential.
I then Joined Strydom and Partners Attorney. My passion was to become a Police Officer, but the love for law kept on frustrating me as I needed to survive financially. As a clerk, the money wasn’t enough. My prayers were answered when I met an advert in the Pretoria News for affirmative action; deputy Sheriff needed at Sheriff Pretoria East.
My career as the Sheriff started back in 1996 where I was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff at Sheriff Pretoria East’s office. To date, I kept the words of advice and motivation from Mr. Coetzee (Head Sheriff) “I want you to be the best Sheriff in the future.”
Thanks to Mrs. Lana Nel for her patience in Mentoring and for believing in me for eighteen years (18) to date. Along the way, as an activist, I realized the need for black empowerment as deputies. I organized all deputies and formed the South African National Deputy Sheriff Forum. Aim and vision were to fast-track transformation, create an entry-level qualification within the Sheriff’s profession, and recognize deputies within the Justice circle.
The SA board for Sheriff Led by Mrs. Mabuza, opened doors for us, and to date, we do have an entry-level qualification where we all graduated from, and in 2012, most of the deputies and office staff were appointed. The training was one of the pillars, and thanks to Mr. Vincent Nel from the SABFS, who is working tirelessly in empowering the office of Sheriff of Johannesburg Central to date. I then Joined SANAPS as Chairperson for one term and later resigned as the association didn’t represent my vision. Mr. Prince Maluleke later recruited me to join SASS, where I now serve as the National Treasure. I will always strive to ensure equal justice and serve the community of Johannesburg with pride and dignity. With knowledge.
I was one of those who were appointed by Minister Jeff Radebe as Minister of Justice.