- Sandra Botha
Infobox Politician
imagesize = 150px
name =Sandra Botha
caption =
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office=Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa
term= 2007-
office2=House Chairperson
term2=2004-
party= Democratic Alliance
birth_date=25 February 1945
birth_place=Free State
spouse= Andries BothaCelia-Sandra Botha is a South African politician who currently holds the position of Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, on behalf of the
Democratic Alliance and its leader,Helen Zille .Early life and career
Born to an Afrikaner farming family in Viljoenskroon, Free State, as early as the 1960s, Botha convinced local farmers to employ a social worker to service the needs of the rural black families. She also held talks with the Citrus Board for further winter aid for farmworkers.
Having matriculated from Parys Secondary School, Botha went on to complete a year in New York with the aid of a scholarship. Later she obtained a BA degree in economics at
Stellenbosch University .She later married Andries Botha and the couple would have five children. Shortly after the marriage, Botha embarked on a Sesotho and linguistics degree at
UNISA .Botha also became heavily involved in the anti-apartheid movement. With
Helen Zille , Botha was a part of theBlack Sash movement.Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly
In May 2007, Sandra Botha was elected by the Democratic Alliance as their representative and official Leader of the Opposition. Botha gained a majority over former NP cabinet minister, Tertius Delport.
Since being elected, Botha has challenged the government on many issues. In particular, Botha was vocal about her dissatisfaction following a scandal where four white doctors in the Western Cape fled overseas. South Africa's controversial affirmative action policies had prevented them from working in government hospitals, despite a shortage of doctors and many vacancies in the province. Botha has also called for a major overhaul of the education system.
References
1. [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&set_id=1&art_id=vn20070527084223295C512658 Liberal boeremeisie with vooma] .
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