Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp is a South African politician who has been National Spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa since 2024. Prior to his election as an MP, he was one of six permanent delegates from the Northern Cape to the National Council of Provinces from 2019 to 2024.

Willie Aucamp
National Spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance
Assumed office
11 July 2024
Serving with Karabo Khakhau
LeaderJohn Steenhuisen
Preceded bySolly Malatsi
Werner Horn
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Assumed office
25 June 2024
Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces
Assembly Member
for Northern Cape
In office
23 May 2019 – 2024
Personal details
Born
Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp

Thabazimbi, Limpopo
South Africa
Political partyDemocratic Alliance
Spouse
(m. 2004; div. 2004)
ParentCassie Aucamp

Political career

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Aucamp's father was formerly the leader of the Afrikaner Eenheidsbeweging (AEB) but resigned in 2003 to form the National Action (NA). Aucamp joined his father's new party and became its Gauteng provincial leader. However, the NA lost all of its parliamentary representation in the April 2004 general election and was soon dissolved. Aucamp subsequently joined the African National Congress (ANC) with his newlywed wife.[1]

He later joined the Democratic Alliance (DA). In 2016, he was elected as a ward councillor of the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality.[2][3]

In May 2019, Aucamp was elected to the National Council of Provinces. He is one of six permanent delegates from the Northern Cape.[4][5] In 2020, he stood for election as leader of the DA's Northern Cape branch. However, when the provincial congress was held on 5 December 2020,[6] he lost the vote to the outgoing provincial chairperson, Harold McGluwa.[7]

Aucamp stood as a DA parliamentary candidate on the National list in the 2024 general election and was subsequently elected to the National Assembly of South Africa.[8] He was sworn in on 25 June 2024.[9] He serves as a DA Whip and is a member of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture.[8]

Following his election to Parliament, he also was appointed by DA leader John Steenhuisen as one of the DA's national spokespersons, together with fellow MP Karabo Khakhau.[10]

Personal life

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Aucamp married New National Party (NNP) spokesperson Carol Johnson in July 2004.[1] The marriage was short-lived as Johnson filed for divorce in September 2004, citing Aucamp's financial status and her not being informed about his child that was born out of wedlock.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b Michaels, Jeremy (9 August 2004). "Love persuades right-winger to join ANC". IOL. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. ^ Prins, Lecrecia (21 July 2016). "Maak só by stemlokaal". Kalahari Bulletin (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Komitee reg om wyk te dien". Kalahari Bulletin (in Afrikaans). 30 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. ^ "NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES PERMANENT DELEGATES AS AT PERMANENT DELEGATES AS AT 23May2019" (PDF). Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  5. ^ "minutes of proceedings national council of provinces" (PDF). Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  6. ^ Kwon Hoo, Sandi (24 November 2020). "DA releases list of NC candidates". Diamond Fields Advertiser. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. ^ "DA in N Cape elects McGluwa as new provincial leader". 6 December 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Mr Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp". Parliament of South Africa. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  9. ^ "The 400 MPs elected to the National Assembly - IEC - DOCUMENTS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. ^ "DA appoints Karabo Khakhau and Willie Aucamp as National Spokespersons". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  11. ^ Joubert, Jan-Jan (14 September 2004). "'Golden couple' hit the rocks". News24. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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