Willie Aucamp

Last updated

Carol Johnson
​
​
(m. 2004;div. 2004)​
Willie Aucamp
MP
Willie Aucamp.jpg
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 November 2025
Parent Cassie Aucamp

Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp is a South African politician who is the current Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, having been appointed in November 2025. He is a former National Spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and has served as a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa since 2024. Prior to his election as an MP, he was one of six permanent delegates from the Northern Cape to the National Council of Provinces from 2019 to 2024.

Contents

Political career

Aucamp's father was formerly the leader of the Afrikaner Eenheidsbeweging (AEB) but resigned in 2003 to form the National Action (NA). Aucamp joined his father's new party and became its Gauteng provincial leader. However, the NA lost all of its parliamentary representation in the April 2004 general election and was soon dissolved. [1]

He later joined the Democratic Alliance (DA). In 2016, he was elected as a ward councillor of the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality. [2] [3]

In May 2019, Aucamp was elected to the National Council of Provinces. He was one of six permanent delegates from the Northern Cape. [4] [5] In 2020, he stood for election as leader of the DA's Northern Cape branch. However, when the provincial congress was held on 5 December 2020, [6] he lost the vote to the outgoing provincial chairperson, Harold McGluwa. [7]

Aucamp stood as a DA parliamentary candidate on the National list in the 2024 general election and was subsequently elected to the National Assembly of South Africa. [8] He was sworn in on 14 June 2024. [9] He served as a DA Whip and was a member of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture. [8]

In July 2024, he also was appointed by DA leader John Steenhuisen as one of the DA's national spokespersons, together with fellow MP Karabo Khakhau. [10]

On 7 November 2025, Steenhuisen requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint Aucamp as the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, succeeding Dion George. [11] On 12 November 2025, Ramaphosa acceded to Steenhuisen's request and appointed Aucamp to the position. [12] The National Council of SPCAs and the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA) expressed concerns over Aucamp's appointment due to his ties to the captive wildlife industry. [13] [14] Aucamp was sworn into office on 17 November 2025 by Judge Sulet Potterill. Jan de Villiers succeeded him as party spokesman. [15]

Personal life

Aucamp married New National Party (NNP) spokesperson Carol Johnson in July 2004. [1] The marriage was short-lived as Johnson filed for divorce in September 2004, citing Aucamp's financial status and her not being informed about his child that was born out of wedlock. [16]

References

  1. 1 2 Michaels, Jeremy (9 August 2004). "Love persuades right-winger to join ANC". IOL. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. ↑ Prins, Lecrecia (21 July 2016). "Maak só by stemlokaal". Kalahari Bulletin (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Komitee reg om wyk te dien". Kalahari Bulletin (in Afrikaans). 30 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES PERMANENT DELEGATES AS AT PERMANENT DELEGATES AS AT 23May2019" (PDF). Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "minutes of proceedings national council of provinces" (PDF). Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Kwon Hoo, Sandi (24 November 2020). "DA releases list of NC candidates". Diamond Fields Advertiser. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "DA in N Cape elects McGluwa as new provincial leader". 6 December 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Mr Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp". Parliament of South Africa. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "The 400 MPs elected to the National Assembly - IEC - DOCUMENTS". Politicsweb. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "DA appoints Karabo Khakhau and Willie Aucamp as National Spokespersons". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Steenhuisen asks Ramaphosa to replace DA minister with Willie Aucamp". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  12. ↑ Dentlinger, Lindsay. "GNU cabinet shake-up: Dion George out, Willie Aucamp and Alexandra Abrahams step in". EWN. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "NSPCA expresses concern over new Environment Minister Aucamp's ties to 'captive wildlife industry'". IOL. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  14. ↑ Masilela, Sinenhlanhla (13 November 2025). "Wildlife Forum opposes Willem Aucamp's appointment as Forestry Minister citing conflict of interest". IOL. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  15. ↑ Gerber, Jan. "DA's Aucamp and Abrahams sworn in as members of Ramaphosa's executive". News24. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  16. ↑ Joubert, Jan-Jan (14 September 2004). "'Golden couple' hit the rocks". News24. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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