The DA in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has elected Brakpan’s own Brandon Pretorius as the new DA caucus leader in Ekurhuleni.
The 30-year-old Sherwood Gardens resident follows in the footsteps of party stalwart and former Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Alderman Tania Campbell.
“The guidance and leadership Clr Pretorius has received from Ald Campbell will be invaluable as he takes up the reins of leadership in a caucus that finds itself in a council filled with challenges,” said Ruhan Robinson MPL, chairperson of the DA Gauteng East Region.
“We believe that Clr Pretorius is perfectly suited for his new role and would like to congratulate him in this new endeavour.”
Pretorius, who currently remains the councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, moved to the town when he was seven.
He completed his primary school career at Laerskool Môrewag, where he was deputy head boy, and matriculated from Hoërskool Die Anker.
Pretorius is a proud family man and is married to Sinteach (31), a primary school teacher. The couple has two children, Lehan (6) and Anneme’(3).
He told the Brakpan Herald his political career started in 2014 when he joined the DA as a member of the party.
“In 2015 I furthered my commitment as an activist. I was formally employed by the party in August,” he said.
“I worked on the Johannesburg Mayoral Campaign team for the 2016 Local Government Elections. It is throughout this period I believe that my interest grew, and my mind was set on being part of the solution.
“My career in politics is self-evolving and I only strive to better myself to better serve.”
Pretorius was first elected the Ward 97 councillor in 2016. Over the years he has taken on many different roles, including:
• Served on the Economic Development Section 79 Oversight Committee of Council from 2016 to 2019
• Served as a caucus whip within the DA caucus Of Ekurhuleni from 2019 to 2021
• Served as the deputy chief of the DA caucus in Ekurhuleni from 2019 to 2021
• Served on the Rules Committee within the Ekurhuleni Council Structures from 2019 to 2021
• Served on the Ethics And Integrity Committee within the Ekurhuleni Council Structures from 2019 to 2021
• Served on the Multiparty Whippery Committee within the Ekurhuleni Council Structures from 2019 to 2021
• Responsible for DA caucus finances.
Career highlights since 2021 include being re-elected as Ward 97 councillor, elected as a whip within the DA Ekurhuleni caucus, and elected deputy chief whip of the Ekurhuleni DA.
Pretorius also delegated chief whip duties for the Ekurhuleni DA caucus, was elected as the Joint Coalition Multiparty chairperson within the Ekurhuleni Region, and elected the coalition management chairperson in the Ekurhuleni Region.
He also served as the Ekurhuleni MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, leader of Executive Business in the CoE, and Ekurhuleni MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services.
When asked how he feels about his new role as caucus leader, Pretorius stated he is anxious but excited.
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“As the caucus leader my number one priority would be to lead from the collective decisions made by the DA Ekurhuleni caucus based on the DA’s values and principles as set out in the party constitution,” he said.
“I want to ensure to demonstrate the DA’s commitment to proactive governance. I want to be able to reaffirm the residents of Ekurhuleni’s trust by showcasing the DA’s contribution towards enhancing service delivery and improved overall quality of life.
“The day I believe that I am no longer contributing to effecting change is the day that I would most certainly step aside.”
As for dealing with the stress of the job, Pretorius stated he likes to relax by spending time with his family and playing golf.
“When I was first elected in 2016 my response to this question, I believe, was working out and staying healthy. Though my interest has stayed the same, my shape has seemed to change,” he jested.
