Barend du Plessis
Barend du Plessis | |
---|---|
Minister of Finance | |
In office 1984–1992 | |
Preceded by | Owen Horwood |
Succeeded by | Derek Keys |
Minister of Education and Training | |
In office 1983–1984 | |
Personal details | |
Born | South African citizenship | 19 January 1940
Political party | National Party |
Alma mater | Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education |
Profession | Teacher |
Barend Jacobus du Plessis (born 19 January 1940 in
Early life and education
Du Plessis grew up in
Career
Early career
In 1962, he started as a mathematics teacher at the
Political career
Du Plessis's father was an active member of the National Party and a political career was always a part of his aspirations. He had already worked for the National Party during elections and the Republic referendum of 1960. In 1966, he became an official member of the National Party. After entering his first step in community service in 1972 as an elected official to the Johannesburg City Council, he rapidly advanced himself and was chosen as vice mayor in 1974. He also ran as the NP candidate in Florida, Gauteng in the same year and won the seat from the United Party.[1]
In his capacity as a cabinet minister, he served as a member of the Elected Committee on Public Accounts from 1976-81. He was also elected as secretary of the National Party Study Group on Finance from 1979-81. He was also the Information Officer for the National Party from 1977-81. In 1982, he was elected chairman of the committee that studied South African Broadcasting, but remained interested in finance and economics and was eventually elected Minister of Foreign Affairs and Information. Until this appointment, he served as director for twelve companies.[1]
As a minister, he was concerned with the Government's relationship with the press. In his first few weeks, he made some controversial statements regarding the SABC 's broadcasting Conservative Party propaganda and reporting on government affairs. He was also present, along with Pik Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the negotiations with Angolan leaders.[3]
On 23 November 1983, he was appointed as the Minister of Education and Training in
In 1984, during the budget speech of his department in Parliament senior black teachers attended the debate. He declared that there would be no racial restrictions in the future in the Department of Education.[3]
Barend du Plessis was appointed as the Minister of Finance in August 1984. He succeeded Dr.
After P. W. Botha fell ill in 1989, he successfully contested interim president
Personal life
He is married to Antoinette van den Berg and has four children.[2]: 82
References
- ^ a b c d "Barend Jacobus Du Plessis". South African History Online.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-86975-280-7.
- ^ a b c d e "Barend Du Plessis". Who's who Southern Africa.