Marius Swart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marius Swart
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Marius Swart in 2009
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| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| In office April 2004 – 7 May 2014 |
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| Executive Mayor of the George Local Municipality | |
| In office December 2000 – April 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Bazil Petrus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1941 Swellendam, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Died | (aged 79) George, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Cause of death | COVID-19 |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance |
| Spouse | Sannett |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Stellenbosch (BA) |
Marius Swart (born 1941 – died 17 January 2021) was a South African politician and businessman. He was a member of the Democratic Alliance political party. He became the first Executive Mayor of the George Local Municipality in 2000 and served until 2004. After that, he was elected to the National Assembly, which is part of South Africa's parliament. After serving two terms, Swart retired from politics in 2014.
Early Life and School
Marius Swart was born in Swellendam in the Cape Province in 1941. He went to school mostly in Kimberley. He finished high school at Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem in the Orange Free State in 1958.
In 1965, Swart graduated from the University of Stellenbosch. He earned a degree in Business Economics and Psychology. After university, he worked in big companies. Later, he became a director at Bolton Footwear. Mr. Swart then started his own business.
Political Journey
Marius Swart joined the Democratic Alliance when it was a new party. He ran for mayor of the new George Local Municipality in the 2000 local elections. After the elections, the local council chose him as the first Executive Mayor.
Within the Democratic Alliance, he became the chairperson for the party's East Region in the Western Cape. He also joined the party's provincial executive committee. Later, he was elected to other important party groups, like the provincial council and the Federal Council. He even served as a deputy federal chairperson.
Serving in Parliament
Swart was the mayor until he was elected to the National Assembly in the 2004 general election. The National Assembly is where laws are made for the country. In November 2006, Swart asked the Public Protector to investigate problems at the Department of Home Affairs. He said the department was known for being very corrupt.
After he was re-elected in 2009, the new leader of the Democratic Alliance in parliament, Athol Trollip, gave him new roles. Swart became the party's spokesperson on the Appropriations Committee. He was also the Shadow Deputy Minister of Finance. This meant he watched over the government's finance department.
In September 2010, his role changed, and Kobus Marais took over as Shadow Deputy Minister of Finance. In February 2012, Lindiwe Mazibuko, the new DA parliamentary leader, reappointed Swart as the party's spokesperson on appropriations.
Before the 2014 general election, Marius Swart announced he would not run for parliament again. He decided to retire from politics.
Personal Life and Passing
Marius Swart was married to Sannett, and they had three children. They lived in Herolds Bay.
On 8 January 2021, Swart was taken to a hospital in George. He had become sick with COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. His condition was serious. He sadly passed away from the virus on 17 January 2021.
