Ryan Coetzee
Encyclopedia
Ryan Coetzee is a prominent South Africa
n politician and political strategist, and past CEO of the country's official opposition, the Democratic Alliance. He was a Member of Parliament
between 2004 and 2009, and headed up his party's general election campaigns in 2004 and 2009. He is presently chief adviser to Western Cape
Premier Helen Zille
.
(DP), and became the party's youth leader between 1992 and 1993.
to head up the party's parliamentary operations at the age of 24. Leon subsequently notes Coetzee's appointment as "the most significant" he made during his 13 year tenure as leader of the party. Coetzee has subsequently played a central role in the party's electoral campaigns, during which time the party has doubled its support base - from 1.5 million voters in 1999 to 3 million in 2009.
In April 2004 Coetzee became a Member of Parliament, and was assigned the shadow health portfolio. Six months later he famously asked then President Thabo Mbeki
during a Parliamentary debate whether he believed the high rate of sexual violence in South Africa contributed towards the spread of HIV, and whether the President actually believed HIV causes AIDS. Mbeki responded by accusing Coetzee of succumbing to the "disease of racism", but avoided responding directly - thus reigniting criticism of his government's response to the pandemic.
Coetzee was succeeded as DA CEO by Jonathan Moakes
.
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 political strategist, and past CEO of the country's official opposition, the Democratic Alliance. He was 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....
between 2004 and 2009, and headed up his party's general election campaigns in 2004 and 2009. He is presently chief adviser to Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
Premier Helen Zille
Helen Zille
Helen Zille is the Premier of the Western Cape, a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, leader of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance political party, and a former Mayor of Cape Town.Zille is a former journalist and anti-apartheid activist, and famously exposed the truth...
.
Background
Coetzee holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Higher Diploma in Education, both from the University of Cape Town. During this time he was a youth activist for the DA's predecessor, the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (South Africa)
The Democratic Party was the name of the South African political party now called the Democratic Alliance . Although the Democratic Party name dates from 1989, the party existed under other labels throughout the Apartheid years, when it was the Parliamentary opposition to the ruling National...
(DP), and became the party's youth leader between 1992 and 1993.
Career in politics
In 1997 Coetzee was picked by DP leader Tony LeonTony Leon
Anthony James "Tony" Leon is a South African politician who served as leader of the opposition from 1999-2007 as leader of the Democratic Alliance. Although still a member of the DA, he currently serves as the South African Ambassador to Argentina under the ANC government.-Early life:Leon grew up...
to head up the party's parliamentary operations at the age of 24. Leon subsequently notes Coetzee's appointment as "the most significant" he made during his 13 year tenure as leader of the party. Coetzee has subsequently played a central role in the party's electoral campaigns, during which time the party has doubled its support base - from 1.5 million voters in 1999 to 3 million in 2009.
In April 2004 Coetzee became a Member of Parliament, and was assigned the shadow health portfolio. Six months later he famously asked then President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
during a Parliamentary debate whether he believed the high rate of sexual violence in South Africa contributed towards the spread of HIV, and whether the President actually believed HIV causes AIDS. Mbeki responded by accusing Coetzee of succumbing to the "disease of racism", but avoided responding directly - thus reigniting criticism of his government's response to the pandemic.
Coetzee was succeeded as DA CEO by Jonathan Moakes
Jonathan Moakes
Jonathan Moakes is a South African political administrator and strategist, currently working as the Chief Executive Officer of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance.-Background:...
.