Dene Smuts

Dene Smuts MP
Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
Incumbent
Assumed office 2009
Leader	Tony Leon and Helen Zille
Personal details
Nationality	South African
Political party	Democratic Alliance
Alma mater	University of Stellenbosch

Dene Smuts is a South African politician, currently a Member of Parliament with the Democratic Alliance, and the Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.^[1]

Early life

Smuts was born and raised 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.

Dene was editor of Fair Lady magazine, managing editor of Leadership, and was a prize-winning author.^[1]

Political career

Smuts was Broadcasting and Telecoms spokespersonships for both the Democratic Party (DP) and Democratic Alliance (DA) from 1994 and 1996 respectively and continues to specialise in free speech issues ^[2]

Smuts launched her political career in 1989 when she was elected MP 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]

Dene serves the DA as Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Personal life

She has two children. Her son is an engineer and her daughter is a writer.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Dene Smuts". http://www.da.org.za/our_people.htm?action=view-page&category=members-of-parliament&person=650. 
2. ^ "free speech". http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=102537&sn=Detail. 
3. ^ "constitution". http://www.polity.org.za/article/da-statement-by-dene-smuts-shadow-minister-of-justice-and-constitutional-development-on-the-protection-of-information-bill-24062011-2011-06-24. 

Offices held

Political offices
Preceded by ??	Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development 2009–present	Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Smuts, Dene
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