Unfortunately there are many bad examples in Africa, and throughout the world, in which a politician's son has used those advantages to unfairly accumulate power and wealth. Two notable examples are Teodorin Obiang and Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, who have both been mired in corruption scandals. Fortunately, this is not true of every son of a politician in Africa, and one rising example is Mirco de Jesus Martins, the son of Angolese Vice President Manuel Vicente.Mirco de Jesus Martins has persistently worked to move out from his father’s shadow and find success on his own. He went to school in the UK and US and was able to find great academic success. Afterwards, applied to British Petroleum, where he earned a job, just like any young graduate.
Now, Martins is doing even more to make a name for himself. The son of the vice president is the owner of his own multi-sector conglomerate. His many businesses are providing critical business services and logistic services to companies across Angola.
Nothing out of the ordinary so far.
What is however notable is a commitment from the young businessman to strong anticorruption practices. Indeed, for many years his companies have been fully compliant with both domestic and international standards. In addition, he has commissioned several independent audits to measure the compliance risk within his organizations, and they have all shown that his companies are being run ethically and efficiently.
While this commitment may be economically motivated - a good reputation being a prime objective for leading companies - individuals who are looking for a pampered and corrupt politician’s son will have to look somewhere else.
Martins, like other successful entrepreneur, is also looking ahead to philanthropic projects. He believes education and economic development are the most important ways to improve the quality of life for many Angolans, and he is launching his own foundation to help send talented young men and women to school.