Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Personal

• Date of Birth: 26 July 1951
• Marital Status: Married
• Other: Squash, Reading and is also interested in Astronomy, Computers and History

Current Positions

• Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.
• Leader of the Freedom Front since March 2001.
• Spokesperson of Freedom Front in Parliament for International Relations and Cooperation and Communication.

Academic Qualifications

• Completed his high school education at the Riebeeck High School in Randfontein in 1968.
• Bachelor of Arts degree Communication from Potchefstroom University for CHE in 1973.
• Master of Arts degree (with distiction) from Potchefstroom University for CHE in 1976.
• D.Phil, from Potchefstroom University for CHE in 1978.
• Undertook post-doctoral studies in International Communication at University of Wisconsin, Madison in United States America in 1981.

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

• Underwent national service military training in the Navy at Saldanah Bay in 1969.
• Lecturer in Communication at Potchefstroom University for CHE in 1974.
• Professor and Head of Communication at Potchefstroom University for CHE in 1984.
• Vice- President of the South African Communication Lectures Union in 1984.
• Member of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa in 1984.
• Elected to the Potchefstroom Town Council in 1985.
• Elected to Parliament when he won a by-election in Schweizer-Reneke in March 1988.
• Founder member and Chairperson of the Freedom Front since March 1994.
• Elected to Parliament by the Freedom Front from 1994 to 1999.
• Served as Chairperson of the Students' Representative Council and as Deputy President of the Afrikaanse Studentbond while student.
• Member of the Conservative Party.
• Member of the Volksfront.
• Vice Chairperson of the Conservative Party in Transvaal.
• Head of Information Committee.