Get to know Frederik Jacobus Badenhorst

What is your political background? How did you come to join your political party and become an MP?

I did community service work for about 15 years via a service club called Round Table, where I served in all leadership positions from Club Chairperson in 2001 to President of Round Table International in 2010. Because of the 40-year age rule, I left Round Table in 2011 and joined the local branch of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2012 in order to continue to be of service to my community. I was a candidate in the Local Government Elections in 2016 and was elected a Ward Councillor in Ward 21, Stellenbosch. I served as a Ward Councillor and later (2018) as a Mayoral Committee Member – Protection Services until December 2022, when a position opened in the NCOP on the DA list, which I took up. I have been serving as a member of Parliament in the NCOP since then.

What does your job as an MP entail? What impact do you hope to have?

In Parliament, I serve as the DA Whip for the Western Cape, the Democratic Alliance Whip for the NCOP and Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Works and Minister in the Presidency (which includes Transport, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation). I also serve as a DA member on the Select Committee of CoGTA, Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation and Traditional Affairs. I attend regular Whips meetings, Programming meetings and ensure that the Western Cape is duly represented in Parliament.

I hope to ensure that the values and Principles of the DA of Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity, and Diversity are practiced in all the work I do, on a political level and in my oversight role as a Member of Parliament.

What are your thoughts on the Government of National Unity (GNU) for the Seventh Parliament?

The electorate has decided they have had enough of 30 years of corruption, state capture and mismanagement in South Africa. They have provided a mandate to prevent one single political party from ruling single-handedly, and in doing so, have provided the DA to prove to the electorate that our principles of good governance in Municipalities where we govern and in the Western Cape can be extended to a National level to the benefit of all who live in South Africa.

What can be done to get citizens more interested/ involved in Parliament?

There could be more media coverage and talks at schools regarding the work of Parliament.

Which Constituency Office/area have you been assigned to? Can you give examples of Constituency work you engaged in or plan to do?

I provide political guidance to members in the structures of the DA in my constituency, Overstrand. I drive issues on behalf of the electorate in my Constituency on a National and Local level. I assist Councillors in building of party Structures and regularly meet with stakeholders and donors.

What will you and your party be focusing on during your term? (will you introduce legislation, will your oversight focus on any specific area etc…)

The DA plays a crucial role in stabilising the national government and safeguarding South Africa’s future.

As the anchor party in the GNU, we are committed to rescuing our nation and bringing the expertise gained from 24 years of DA governance to serve all South Africans. We will fight for lower fuel prices in order to bring the cost of transportation down, which will lower the price of food, we will fight to make more essential food items VAT-free, we will oppose tax increases and fight for better fiscal policy and structural reforms in order to grow our economy to the benefit of all our citizens.

What are you passionate about? This applies both in the political/ professional arena and personally.

I love helping people by creating beneficial connections to solve problems. I am a qualified mediator and strongly believe in the power of mediation as a method of alternative dispute resolution. I enjoy reading, playing golf, hiking and spending time with my wife, family and friends.

What is your message to South Africa?

We are one of the most diverse countries in the world, on almost all levels. This diversity is what makes us special and strong. If we can all learn to celebrate each other’s diversity through mutual respect, the Rule of Law and the spirit of Ubuntu, we will thrive and prosper as a Nation.

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