Conrad James Poole (born 12 February 1967) is a South African politician who has been a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament since March 2024. He had previously served as the deputy mayor of the Drakenstein Local Municipality from May 2011 until May 2016 and then as the municipality's mayor from May 2016 until his removal in a motion of no confidence in February 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Alliance.[2]
Conrad Poole MPP | |
|---|---|
 Poole in 2021 | |
| Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament | |
| Assumed office 6 March 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Plato |
| Mayor of Drakenstein | |
| In office 16 May 2016 – 28 February 2024 Acting: 11 May 2016 - 16 May 2016 | |
| Deputy | Gert Combrink |
| Preceded by | Gesie van Deventer |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Korabie[1] |
| Deputy Mayor of Drakenstein | |
| In office 18 May 2011 – 16 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Wilhelm Nothnagel |
| Succeeded by | Gert Combrink |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Conrad James Poole 12 February 1967 Paarl, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance (2010 - present) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent Democrats (Before 2010) |
| Spouse | Jené Poole (m. 1990) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | L.K. Zeeman Primary School Paulus Joubert Senior Secondary School |
| Occupation | Politician Pastor |
Early life and education edit
Conrad James Poole was born on 12 February 1967 in Paarl. He completed his primary school education at L.K. Zeeman Primary School and his secondary school education at Paulus Joubert Senior Secondary School.[3]
Poole obtained his Cum Laude Diploma from the Paarl Bible School in 2010. He is currently fulfilling his second-year course. Poole was first employed by Berg River Textiles, due to his family having financial issues. He became a shop steward for the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union, and he was soon promoted to the post of supervisor.[3]
Political career edit
In 2007, he was elected a ward councillor for the Independent Democrats. As a member of the Independent Democrats, he served as chairperson in all three (municipal, provincial and national) of the party's political structures. He has received several awards from the Independent Democrats. He joined the Democratic Alliance in 2010, and the party appointed him as Drakenstein constituency chair.[3]
In 2011, he was elected Deputy Mayor of the Drakenstein Local Municipality. He served alongside Mayor Gesie van Deventer until Van Deventer resigned in 2016 to accept the position of Mayor of Stellenbosch Local Municipality. Poole served as acting Mayor from 11 May 2016 until he was officially elected and sworn in as Mayor on 16 May 2016 at a special council meeting at the Huguenot Community Hall. Gert Combrink succeeded him as Deputy Mayor.[4]
In August 2016, he won re-election as Mayor of the Drakenstein Local Municipality as the Democratic Alliance increased its seat total in the municipality.[5][6]
Poole was elected to the DA's provincial executive committee as an additional member.[7]
On 3 September 2021, Poole was nominated as the DA's mayoral candidate for the Drakenstein for a second term ahead of the election on 1 November.[8] The DA retained control of the municipality, with a decrease in support.[9] On 15 November 2021, Poole was re-elected as mayor.[10]
Facing allegations of corruption, Poole was removed in a motion of no confidence during a council meeting on 28 February 2024.[11]
Shortly afterwards, Poole resigned from the Drakenstein council as the DA selected him to fill the casual vacancy that arose in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament when former DA MPP Dan Plato resigned to join the People's Movement for Change. Poole was sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Parliament on 6 March 2024.[12]
On 25 March 2024, the DA revealed their candidate lists and Poole was revealed to be a parliamentary candidate for the party for the general elections on 29 May 2024. He is ranked 30th on the DA's national list, which guarantees him a seat in parliament after the election.[13]
Personal life edit
Poole married Jené Poole in 1990. The couple has three children and one grandchild. On 13 April 2019, Poole suffered a stroke.[14]
References edit
- ^ Adams, Rasaad. "DA se Stephen Korabie as nuwe Drakenstein-munisipaliteit-burgemeester verkies". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ New mayor for Drakenstein. Retrieved on 21-11-2018.
- ^ a b c Executive Mayor. Retrieved on 21-11-2018.
- ^ Mayor Gesie van Deventer resigns. Retrieved on 21-11-2018.
- ^ Drakenstein Municipality inaugurates DA-lead council. Retrieved on 21-11-2018.
- ^ Conrad Poole. Retrieved on 21-11-2018.
- ^ Mothepo, Gosebo (7 October 2020). "Full list of DA Western Cape provincial executive committee". The Citizen. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Parties announce mayoral candidates". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Election results: Only City of Cape Town and Breede Valley remain". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Stellenbosch and Drakenstein municipalities return DA mayors to office at council inaugurations". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Adams, Rasaad. "Drakenstein Mayor Conrad Poole ousted through motion of no confidence". News24. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Adams, Rasaad. "Van Paarl tot parlement; Poole kry stoel in Wes-Kaapse wetgewer". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Felix, Jason. "Ousted Western Cape mayor accused of pay-for-jobs scheme high on DA's list for Parliament". News24. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Notice. Retrieved on 16 May 2019.