Ben Martins

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As politics must teach people the ways and give them the means to take control over their own lives, art must teach people, in the most vivid and imaginative ways possible, to take control over their own experience and observations, how to link these with the struggle for liberation and a just society free of race, class and exploitation. [6]

In addition to his governmental duties, he is a Member of Council of the Robben Island Museum and an Executive Committee Member of the Caversham Centre for writers and artists. He continues to be a patron of the Congress of South African Writers (COSAW). He is still a practicing artist, with his artwork forming part of the permanent Art collection of the Killie Campbell Collection of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Pretoria and Johannesburg Art Galleries, as well as that of numerous private collections. [6]

Allegations of involvement in state capture

In November 2017 the suspended head of legal affairs for state company Eskom, Suzanne Daniels, testified before a Parliamentary committee into state capture that Martins had been present at a meeting where Gupta family associate Salim Essa attempted to interfere in Eskom's affairs. [7] [8] Martins responded the next day that he had never been part of such a "phantom coffee tea party meeting" but would have to consult his diary to say where he had been on the day. [9]

Martins said he had been introduced to the Gupta family by Lucky Montana, then CEO of state company Prasa. Montana countered that it had been Martins who had introduced him to the Gupta family. [10] [11]

References

  1. "Changes to National Executive and South African Police Service" (Press release). Government of South Africa. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  2. "Office Bearers Elected at the SACP 13th National Congress". sacp.org.za. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  3. "Abridged CV of Ben Martins" (PDF).
  4. 1 2 3 "Biographical profile". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  5. "Browse Profile | Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)".
  6. 1 2 "Dikobe Ben Martins". South African History Online. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  7. "Suspended Eskom official tells of shock, fear after Ajay Gupta meeting | Cape Times" . Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  8. "Eskom inquiry hears evidence that the Guptas took care of Molefe and Koko". Fin24. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  9. "Ben Martins rejects Eskom lawyer's allegations". CityPress. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  10. Essop, Rahima. "Lucky Montana counters Minister Martins' claims about Gupta meeting" . Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  11. "Martins being economical with the truth - Montana" . Retrieved 10 November 2017.
Ben Martins MP
Ben Martins.jpg
Minister of Energy
In office
10 July 2013 25 May 2014
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Energy
10 July 2013 25 May 2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Transport
12 June 2012 09 July 2013
Succeeded by