Get to know Elmarie Linde

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

My political career started on 1 June 2002 when I became a Proportional Councillor (PR) in the City of Tshwane, Gauteng. Before that, I was a journalist at a Caxton Newspaper, and I believe my interaction with Democratic Alliance politicians at the time led to me applying for a vacant position on the list. I was fortunate to become part of the DA family. In 2006, I was elected Ward Councillor for Ward 54 in Tshwane and served three terms. During this time, I held several party leadership positions, shadow and spokesperson positions, and a portfolio chairperson position for Transport. In 2021, I applied for a list position in the City of Cape Town, and again, I was fortunate that the DA gave me the opportunity to relocate to Cape Town to further my career. I served as a PR Councillor in the City of Cape Town on the Economic Development and Tourism portfolio until I successfully applied to represent South Africans as a Member of Parliament. I will forever be grateful to the Democratic Alliance for the party’s trust in me, and I look forward to continuing to serve the country in my work.

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

A public representative has responsibilities towards the party he/she represents and governance responsibilities pertaining to the sphere of government in which he/she serves. I represent the Democratic Alliance in a constituency (Table Bay Cape Town), working as Constituency Head, interacting with the Ward Councillors and helping people in the constituency. Furthermore, I have a governance role as a Member of Parliament. This position has many responsibilities. Making laws that will improve our lives; discussing and debating government policy and other political issues; consulting with South Africans and representing their views in Parliament; approving the budgets of government departments, as presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance; making sure that the work that government promised to do is being done; and oversee that public money is being spent wisely. I believe in making an impact by doing effective oversight and listening to what people want. To my advantage is the fact that I have worked on the ground for 20 years (being in government and as opposition) in different communities, and I understand the needs and challenges that South Africans face daily.

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

Like many others, I initially had concerns that a GNU could lead to political instability and inefficiency. I was sceptical that the GNU might be more focused on accommodating all the parties and respective interests rather than effectively addressing the country’s pressing issues. I was also concerned that the GNU could potentially weaken accountability and hinder the government's ability to make decisive and effective policies. Another detrimental concern was that the GNU might necessitate compromising on key policies to satisfy the coalition of diverse parties.

However, after a few months as part of the GNU, I am content that MPs may still oversee; we continue to ask difficult questions, deliver member statements, and hold the executive accountable. And this is indeed what the DA Members of Parliament do. The GNU was not our first choice, but it became a reality as the political landscape in South Africa changed. We were dealt this hand due to the election result of 29 May 2024, and it is our responsibility as elected politicians to now have the maturity to know when to put politics aside and govern well to rescue South Africa.

Around 3 million South Africans voted for the DA to be in government, and we will fulfil this mandate to the best of our ability even though we’re not the only ruling party.

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

The government spends millions on roadshows, “imbizo”, and programmes involving South African people in decision-making. Until now, these programmes have not been communicated and marketed adequately to attract residents to attend. On the other hand, many people feel the government is appointed to make the right decisions to better the lives of all, and some think their input will not be considered. Therefore, these might also be the reasons for the lack of public participation. People need to make their voices heard and take part in public participation processes, as this helps the government make decisions and introduce legislation that works for all.

Government should improve transparency by ensuring that parliamentary proceedings, decisions, and data are readily accessible and understandable to the public. This can be facilitated through user-friendly websites, clear summaries of debates, and easy access to records. Regular updates through newsletters, pamphlet distribution, newsletters, social media, radio and other communication channels will keep citizens informed about parliamentary activities and decisions. Furthermore, the government should embark on effective public educational programs in schools and tertiary institutions, educating people about how Parliament works, the importance of participation, and how they can engage with their representatives and hold them accountable.

Furthermore, public representatives need to be more involved to attract their constituencies to attend the programmes and government needs to make better efforts to communicate these programs widely, well ahead of time.

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

I have been assigned to the Table Bay Constituency in Cape Town. This includes Ward 1, Ward 4, Ward 5, Ward 27, and Ward 55, from Milnerton to Goodwood, Edgemead, and Plattekloof. All these wards have elected DA Ward Councillors; however, as a Member of Parliament, every resident in each ward matters to me. I believe that people understand that I am a representative for all.

As I have been living in Cape Town only for three years, it is imperative that the constituents get to know me and have access to me. I am active on social media, and residents are welcome to contact me via these platforms or via email and cell phone. I have met with several community leaders in the constituency and look forward to engaging with more stakeholders and leaders. This is important to me, as I need to know and understand their issues that I can take to Parliament. I am their voice in Parliament. As a constituency head I will always support the Ward Councillors and assist them in their endeavours to deliver excellent services. I know DA Ward Councillors work extremely hard and sometimes under difficult circumstances. They must endure enormous public scrutiny, and they do an unthankful job. I am there to strengthen their hands, by being visible and active in their wards with them as much as I can.

6.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 will do what we can to make the GNU work, as our voters have given us a specific mandate to rescue South Africa. We will be working continuously to fulfil the proposals in our election manifesto. The DA Ministers, Deputy Minsters and Chairpersons are already working hard and making a difference in their departments. Where we don’t have executive leadership in departments, we will continue to do effective oversight, and drive issues that are important to our constituents. We will hold the Executive to account, even the DA Executives in Government.

Jobs, jobs and more jobs. The DA has a strong focus on Economic Development and job creation as government has over the past 30 years not yet redressed the injustices of the past. This is the only way to lift people out of poverty. The people of South Africa do not have to suffer. As part of the GNU the DA will leave no stone unturned to create more opportunities where we can; we will continue to care for every resident of our country. I am assigned as a member of the Tourism portfolio. The department must have one objective and that is to make South Africa the preferred tourist destination in Africa that will promote economic growth and job creation.

In this term I would like to see that proposed legislation to amend the Tourism Act be finalised. As a portfolio we will be doing oversight over the Department of Tourism and its entity, SA Tourism. The Department and SA Tourism face many challenges and there are aspects that were not well managed in the past. That includes spending of state funds and failed infrastructure projects. I want to visit these projects to assess its viability and successes.

Furthermore, I want to address issues pertaining to tour guides, their training and management, as they have many challenges but little support to do their work.

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

Christian principles guide my personal values and daily decisions and actions, and I strive to live a life that reflects my commitment to God’s will. I am passionate about living out my Christian faith in practical ways, such as helping others and advocating for social justice and ethical practices.

I am passionate about non-racialism. South Africa is a diverse country, and our diversity is our strength. We should use it to build our country. I believe every person, no matter his/her background, culture, or skin colour, has something to offer. We must embrace this to our advantage, and the government has the responsibility to provide ample opportunity for all residents to be included in making our country the best place to live, work, and play.

8.What is your message to South Africa?

I have learned that it takes all the wheels of a vehicle going in the same direction to move forward, meaning that all on board the South African ship must work together to move our country forward. We have a chance to go forward for the first time in many years; therefore, I plea to every South African to come on board to make this work. Let us all give the GNU a chance. Support the Public Representatives and become a construction worker with us to build our country stronger than ever. We will make mistakes; a wheel might flatten or even fall off, but we are resilient. We can put those wheels back on and continue our journey to build a South Africa that works for all of us.

Remember, everything we do now is for the next generation. We need to leave a legacy that they can be proud of.

To learn more about this Member, visit her profile