Dene Smuts
| Dene Smuts MP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development | |
|
In office 2009–2014 | |
| Leader | Tony Leon and Helen Zille |
| Succeeded by | Glynnis Breytenbach |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mudene Smuts July 13, 1949 Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa |
| Died |
April 21, 2016 (aged 66) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance |
| Alma mater | University of Stellenbosch |
Mudene "Dene" Smuts (July 13, 1949 – April 21, 2016) was a South African politician. She was a member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance, serving in various capacities, including as Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.[1]
Early life
Smuts was born and raised in Bloemfontein, in the Free State, South Africa, and attended Oranje Meisieskool.
After high school, she continued her academic journey graduating from Stellenbosch University with a BA Hons degree.
Smuts was editor of Fair Lady magazine, managing editor of Leadership, and was a prize-winning author.[1]
Political career
A staunch libertarian who valued individual freedom and the consent of the governed.
Smuts was Broadcasting and Telecoms spokesperson for both the Democratic Party (DP) and Democratic Alliance (DA) from 1994 and 1996 respectively and specialised in free speech issues [2]
Smuts launched her political career in 1989 when she was elected MP for the five-month old Democratic Party for the Groote Schuur constituency, and on 6 September that year, she participated in the great Peace March in Cape Town, a seminal date in that in coincided with her swearing in as an MP.
Smuts served as a constitutional negotiator for the DP during the transition from Apartheid to democracy. The process started with President FW de Klerk's 1990 Opening of Parliament speech. Smuts participated from that day until its conclusion in 1996 specialising in the drafting of the Bill of Rights for the Final Constitution.
She also served as the DP spokesperson on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Constitution[3] and human rights.
In 1992, Smuts became South Africa’s first female whip in Parliament and served as DP party chairperson from 1994 to 1997.[1]
Smuts served on the special committee on the controversial Protection of State Information Bill also known as the Secrecy Bill, opposing clauses which literally made everything, including corporate information, a state secret and which would have made it an offense for journalists to publish any information not vetted by the state.
Smuts served the DA as Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Personal life
Smuts had two children. Her son is an engineer and her daughter is a writer.
Death and legacy
Smuts died on April 21, 2016 in Cape Town. Announcing her death, the DA described her as "a great parliamentarian and defender of the Constitution".[4]
References
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ?? |
Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development 2009–2014 |
Succeeded by Glynnis Breytenbach |
|