James Selfe
James Selfe | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2009 | |
| Shadow Minister of Correctional Services | |
| In office 15 May 2009 – 31 December 2021 | |
| Deputy | Werner Horn Lennit Max |
| Leader | Athol Trollip Lindiwe Mazibuko Mmusi Maimane Annelie Lotriet (acting) John Steenhuisen |
| Preceded by | Hendrik Schmidt |
| Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance Federal Council | |
| In office 24 June 2000 – 20 October 2019 | |
| Leader | Tony Leon Helen Zille Mmusi Maimane John Steenhuisen |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Helen Zille |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| In office 29 April 1994 – 31 December 2021 | |
| Constituency | Western Cape |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 August 1955 Pretoria, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 21 May 2024 (aged 68) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance |
| Spouse | Sheila Selfe |
| Children | Stephanie, Chloe and Emma Selfe |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Selfe died in his house in Cape Town on 21 May 2024, at the age of 68.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "DA initiates court action to enable South Africans living abroad to vote".
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d "Mr James Selfe". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009.
- ^ "James Selfe". People's Assembly. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Gerber, Jan. "National Assembly greets DA's James Selfe who retires as MP after 27 years". News24. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "OBITUARY: James Selfe found common ground where others couldn't resist conflict". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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- 1955 births
- 2024 deaths
- Politicians from Pretoria
- South African people of British descent
- Democratic Alliance (South Africa) politicians
- University of Cape Town alumni
- Members of the National Assembly of South Africa
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- Members of the National Council of Provinces
- Alumni of Diocesan College, Cape Town
- Western Cape politician stubs