Michael Cardo is a South African author, historian, and former politician. He is best known for his book Harry Oppenheimer: Diamonds, Gold and Dynasty (2023), the first comprehensive biography of Harry Oppenheimer, which explores the mining magnate’s role in shaping South Africa’s business and political landscapes.
Cardo previously served as a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance (DA), where he was Shadow Minister of Employment and Labour. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge and has a strong academic interest in the intersections of business, politics, and history. Drawing on unrestricted access to Oppenheimer’s personal archives and interviews with his family and associates, Cardo’s biography provides a nuanced examination of Oppenheimer’s legacy during apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa
