Mmusi Maimane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mmusi Maimane
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| 19th Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 29 May 2014 – 24 October 2019 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Lindiwe Mazibuko |
| Succeeded by | John Steenhuisen |
| Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance | |
| In office 10 May 2015 – 23 October 2019 |
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| Chair | Athol Trollip |
| Preceded by | Helen Zille |
| Succeeded by | John Steenhuisen |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 14 June 2024 |
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| Constituency | National |
| In office 21 May 2014 – 24 October 2019 |
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| Constituency | Gauteng |
| National Spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance | |
| In office November 2011 – 6 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Lindiwe Mazibuko |
| Succeeded by | Marius Redelinghuys Phumzile van Damme |
| Leader of Build One South Africa | |
| Assumed office 24 September 2022 |
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| Deputy | Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mmusi Aloysias Maimane
6 June 1980 Krugersdorp, Transvaal Province, South Africa |
| Political party |
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| Other political affiliations |
One South Africa Movement (2020–present) |
| Spouse |
Natalie Maimane
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Allen Glen High School University of the Witwatersrand (BA) University of South Africa (MPA) Bangor University (ThM) |
| Occupation |
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Mmusi Aloysias Maimane (born 6 June 1980) is a well-known South African politician and businessman. He is currently the leader of a political party called Build One South Africa.
Before this, Maimane was the leader of South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). He led the DA from May 2015 to October 2019. During this time, he was also the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa. This means he was the main voice against the ruling party in parliament. He was the first black South African to lead the DA.
Maimane also served as the DA's leader in the Johannesburg City Council. He was also the DA's national spokesperson. In 2011, he ran to become the mayor of Johannesburg. He helped the party get more votes, but he was not elected mayor. After that, he became the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Johannesburg City Council until 2014. Besides politics, he is also a pastor. In 2020, he started the One South Africa Movement. He launched his new political party, Build One South Africa, on 24 September 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Mmusi Maimane was born on 6 June 1980. He was born at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp. His mother, Ethel Maimane, grew up in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape. She is from the Xhosa group. His father, Simon Maimane, was born in Soweto. He is from the Tswana group. His parents met in 1977 and got married in 1980 in Dobsonville, Soweto.
Maimane grew up in Soweto. He went to Raucall and then Allen Glen High School. He finished high school in 1997. He studied at different universities. He earned a degree in Psychology from the University of South Africa. He also got a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of the Witwatersrand. Later, he earned a Master's degree in Theology from Bangor University in Wales.
Starting His Political Journey
In 2010, Maimane decided to join politics. He applied to become a candidate for the DA in the Johannesburg City Council. He also wanted to be the DA's candidate for Mayor of Johannesburg. In March 2011, the DA announced he would be their mayoral candidate. This happened at an event in Soweto.
The DA did well in the 2011 local government elections in Johannesburg. They received 34.6% of the votes. Maimane led 90 members of the DA in the City Council. However, the ANC won the mayoral position. So, Maimane became the Leader of the Official Opposition. In this role, he worked to hold the ruling party accountable. He also became the DA's national spokesperson later in 2011.
In 2012, Maimane was elected as the DA's deputy federal chairperson. This was an important role within the party.
Becoming a National Leader
Running for Premier of Gauteng
On 31 July 2013, Maimane announced he wanted to run for Premier of Gauteng. The Premier is like a governor for a province. This was for the 2014 elections. He became the DA's chosen candidate for this position on 9 August 2013.
Before the 2014 national elections, Mmusi appeared in a political advertisement. It was called "Ayisafani," which means "It's not the same." The advert suggested that the ANC party had changed under Jacob Zuma's leadership. The advert was briefly stopped from being shown by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). However, after a complaint, it was aired again. Even though the DA gained more votes in Gauteng, the ANC still won the province. Maimane did not become Premier. After this, he decided to join the National Assembly of South Africa instead.
Serving in the National Assembly
On 29 May 2014, Maimane was chosen as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. He was the only candidate for this job and was elected without anyone opposing him. This made him the first black man to hold this important position in South Africa's history. On 5 June 2014, Maimane announced his team of shadow ministers. This team watches over the government's different departments.
Leading the Democratic Alliance (2015–2019)
Becoming Party Leader
On 18 April 2015, Maimane announced he would run to become the federal leader of the DA. Many people supported him. On 10 May 2015, Maimane was elected as the leader of the DA. This happened at the party's meeting in Port Elizabeth. He won with almost 90% of the votes.
See also
In Spanish: Mmusi Maimane para niños
