Dianne Kohler Barnard
Encyclopedia
Dianne Kohler Barnard is a South Africa
n politician and former journalist, currently South Africa's Shadow Minister of Police, and a Member of Parliament
for the Democratic Alliance (DA). She was born in Port Elizabeth, but currently resides in KwaZulu-Natal
, where she represents the Central Durban constituency.
and also presented/produced the station's afternoon news programme The Editors.
Kohler Barnard is also the former chairperson of the Broadcast, Electronic Media and Allied Workers' Union in KwaZulu-Natal, and was a founder member of the inaugural SABC HIV/Aids Committee.
. She was elected to parliament with the Democratic Alliance in 2004, and was initially spokesperson on Arts and Culture.
She was subsequently appointed opposition spokesperson on Health. During this time she became a vocal critic of incumbent health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
, particularly over her support for controversial German vitamin salesman Matthias Rath
. Rath attempted to sue Kohler Barnard for describing him as a "charlatan
", and also tried to sue newspapers that carried the remark.
Subsequently, Kohler Barnard was appointed to the senior position of Shadow Minister for the party on Police. She was also the DA’s representative on the SADC
observer mission to Zimbabwe
for the last two elections in that country.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n politician and former journalist, currently South Africa's Shadow Minister of Police, and a Member of Parliament
Parliament of South Africa
The Parliament of South Africa is South Africa's legislature and under the country's current Constitution is composed of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces....
for the Democratic Alliance (DA). She was born in Port Elizabeth, but currently resides in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, where she represents the Central Durban constituency.
Career in journalism
Kohler Barnard spent 23 years working as a radio and print journalist. She ran the KwaZulu-Natal offices of SAfmSAfm
SAfm is a national radio station in South Africa owned by the SABC. It was formerly known as Radio South Africa. Prior to that it was called the English Service. It was launched as the "A" service when the SABC was established by an Act of Parliament in 1936 and was therefore the Corporation's very...
and also presented/produced the station's afternoon news programme The Editors.
Kohler Barnard is also the former chairperson of the Broadcast, Electronic Media and Allied Workers' Union in KwaZulu-Natal, and was a founder member of the inaugural SABC HIV/Aids Committee.
Politics
Kohler-Barnard moved to politics in response to increasing state interference in the management of the SABCSouth African Broadcasting Corporation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa and provides 18 radio stations as well as 3 television broadcasts to the general public.-Early years:Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1923...
. She was elected to parliament with the Democratic Alliance in 2004, and was initially spokesperson on Arts and Culture.
She was subsequently appointed opposition spokesperson on Health. During this time she became a vocal critic of incumbent health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
Dr. Mantombazana 'Manto' Edmie Tshabalala-Msimang was a South African politician. She was Deputy Minister of Justice from 1996 to 1999 and controversially served as Minister of Health from 1999 to 2008 under President Thabo Mbeki...
, particularly over her support for controversial German vitamin salesman Matthias Rath
Matthias Rath
Matthias Rath is a doctor, businessman, and vitamin entrepreneur. He earned his MD degree in Germany. Rath claims that a program of nutritional supplements , including formulations that he sells, can treat or cure diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS...
. Rath attempted to sue Kohler Barnard for describing him as a "charlatan
Charlatan
A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception....
", and also tried to sue newspapers that carried the remark.
Subsequently, Kohler Barnard was appointed to the senior position of Shadow Minister for the party on Police. She was also the DA’s representative on the SADC
Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
observer mission to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
for the last two elections in that country.