James Selfe (23 August 1955 – 21 May 2024) was a South African politician who was a Member of Parliament for the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), and the party's Federal Council Chairperson.[1] He was also the party's Shadow Minister of Correctional Services. Selfe resigned from Parliament and as the Shadow Minister of Correctional Services with effect from 31 December 2021.[2]

Education and early career

Selfe was born in Pretoria, and attended Bishops (Diocesan College) and the University of Cape Town.[3] After earning a master's degree, Selfe worked between 1979 and 1988 as a researcher for the Progressive Federal Party, the forerunner to today's Democratic Alliance. He became the party's communications director in 1988, and a member of the President's Council a year later. In 1992 he became an executive director of the party.[3]

Parliamentary career

Selfe was elected to the Senate of South Africa  – later National Council of Provinces – in 1994 and participated in the Constitutional Assembly which drew up the democratic Constitution.[4] In 1999 he stayed in parliament, but moved to the National Assembly.[3] In 2004, he was re-elected to Parliament and became responsible for the Member of Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services[5] in addition to being chair of the Democratic Alliance's Federal Council.[3]

In June 2019, Selfe announced his retirement as chair of the Democratic Alliance's Federal Council.[citation needed] He had served in the post for almost two decades under the leadership of Tony Leon, Helen Zille and Mmusi Maimane.[citation needed]

In February 2021, Selfe appeared before the Zondo Commission to testify on Bosasa's catering contracts for the Department of Correctional Services.[6] Selfe told the commission that his "many calls over many years" that Parliament should investigate Bosasa "fell on deaf ears".[6]

After 43 years in politics, Selfe announced his retirement in November 2021 due to deteriorating health.[2] On 10 December 2021, the National Assembly bid farewell to long-serving Selfe in its final sitting of 2021.[7] During this sitting, members of Parliament from across the aisle praised Selfe for his contributions to South Africa.[7]

Death

Selfe died in his house in Cape Town on 21 May 2024, at the age of 68.[8]

References

  1. ^ "DA initiates court action to enable South Africans living abroad to vote".
  2. ^ a b Joubert, Jan-Jan (9 November 2021). "BOWING OUT: DA's James Selfe to retire from Parliament after 43 years in politics". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mr James Selfe". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009.
  4. ^ "James Selfe". People's Assembly. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  5. ^ "WATCH: State capture inquiry hears more Parliamentary oversight evidence | eNCA". www.enca.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Gerber, Jan. "Zondo commission: 'Many calls' to probe Bosasa 'fell on deaf ears', claims DA's James Selfe". News24. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b Gerber, Jan. "National Assembly greets DA's James Selfe who retires as MP after 27 years". News24. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  8. ^ "OBITUARY: James Selfe found common ground where others couldn't resist conflict". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 29 May 2024.


Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Selfe
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