Mike Ellis (South African politician)

Michael James Ellis MP
Deputy Chief Whip of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office 1999
Leader	Tony Leon and Helen Zille
Member of Parliament for Indian Ocean South, KwaZulu-Natal
Incumbent
Assumed office 1987
Personal details
Born	Pietermaritzburg
Nationality	South African
Political party	Democratic Alliance
Profession	Educator

Michael James "Mike" Ellis (born 29 September 1946) is a South African politician and former educator, who has served as Deputy Chief Whip of the opposition Democratic Alliance since 1999, and as the party's provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal since 2006.^[1] Ellis is one of the party's longest serving Parliamentarians, having first entered parliament as a candidate of the pro-Democracy Progressive Federal Party in 1987.^[1] Prior to that he was President of the Natal Teachers' Society, and served as headmaster and deputy headmaster at several KwaZulu-Natal schools.^[1]

Background

Ellis was born in Pietermaritzburg, and attended Northlands Boys High School and the University of Natal.^[1] He graduated with a BA in History and Political Science, and also obtained a University Education Diploma. He later also obtained a B.Ed degree. Upon graduating, Ellis worked as a teacher at Beachwood High School, which later became Northwood School.^[2] In 1976 he took up a post as deputy headmaster at Penzance Primary School, and after spending two years as deputy headmaster at Kingsway High School, returned to Penzance to become the school's headmaster.^[2] In 1984 he returned to another of his former schools, Beachwood, as head teacher. He was also appointed President of the Natal Teachers' Society.^[1]

Parliamentarian

In 1987 Ellis left teaching to enter a career in politics. He won a seat in the House of Assembly in the Durban North constituency, under the banner of the Progressive Federal Party, and then won the seat again in 1989 under the party's new name, the Democratic Party.^[1] Ellis was reelected to Parliament in 1994, in the country's first democratic election. In 1995 he became a party whip in the National Assembly, and he was appointed Deputy Chief Whip in 1999 - a position he has now held for a decade.^[1]

During his tenure in Parliament, Ellis has served on numerous portfolio committees, including Health, Education and Environmental Affairs and Tourism.^[1][2]

His current constituency in the south of the province stretches from Scottsburgh to Port Edward, and as far inland as Kokstad, and includes large towns such as Port Shepstone as well as large rural and farming communities.^[1]

Family

Mike's eldest son, John Ellis, is a well known South African singer-songwriter and guitarist.^[3] His debut solo album, Come Out Fighting, released in June 2010, has a strong political message. It was dubbed 'Protest Songs' by the local press.^[4] Songs such as 'A Luta Continua', 'Government Song', 'Rebels' and 'Rant' speak about being a white South African post-Apartheid.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "Our people - DA - Mike Ellis". http://www.da.org.za/our_people.htm?action=view-page&category=members-of-parliament&person=680. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Mr Michael "Mike" ELLIS". http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=2960. 
3. ^ http://www.johnellis.co.za
4. ^ http://www.citizen.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85279&catid=68:cd-releases&Itemid=81

Offices held

Political offices
Preceded by ?	Deputy Chief Whip of the Opposition (South Africa) 1999–present	Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Ellis, Mike
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	29 September 1946
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death