Bafana Freddy Sonakile is a South African advocate and politician who has been a Member of the North West Provincial Legislature for the Democratic Alliance since May 2019. He is the leader of the party's caucus in the legislature and the party's provincial chairperson. He had previously served as chief whip of the DA caucus in the legislature and as the deputy provincial leader of the party. Prior to serving in the provincial legislature, Sonakile had worked as a legal advisor at the provincial legislature.

Freddy Sonakile
Provincial Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in the North West
Assumed office
29 July 2023
DeputyHendriette van Huyssteen
Preceded byLuan Synders
Deputy Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the North West
In office
21 November 2020 – 29 July 2023
LeaderLeon Basson
Preceded byLeon Basson
Succeeded byCornel Dryer
Member of the North West Provincial Legislature
Assumed office
22 May 2019
Personal details
Born
Bafana Freddy Sonakile

Zamdela, Sasolburg, South African
NationalitySouth African
Political partyDemocratic Alliance
Alma materNorth-West University (LLB)
OccupationMember of the Provincial Legislature
ProfessionAdvocate
Politician

Early life and education

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Sonakile was born in Zamdela, Sasolburg in the Orange Free State.[1] He was raised by his mother. Sonakile obtained an LLB degree from the North-West University. He was then employed as a legal advisor at the North West Provincial Legislature.[1] In 2018, Sonakile was one of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans.[2]

Political career

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Sonakile is a member of the Democratic Alliance. After the 2019 provincial election, he returned to the provincial legislature, this time as a representative of the DA.[1] He is one of four party representatives. The party's caucus elected him chief whip.[1]

On 21 November 2020, Sonakile was elected deputy provincial leader of the DA in the North West, defeating Sello Seitlholo.[3][4]

Sonakile was elected Leader of the DA caucus in the North West Legislature on 1 December 2021, succeeding Winston Rabotapi.[5]

At the DA Provincial Conference on 29 July 2023, Sonakile was elected provincial chairperson as Cornel Dryer succeeded him as deputy provincial leader.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Tau, Poloko (4 December 2019). "'I believe I am a threat especially to the ANC' – legal adviser who became DA legislator". News24. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Freddy Sonakile (28)". 200 Young South Africans. Retrieved 6 September 2020.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Chothia, Andrea (21 November 2020). "DA announces provincial leadership election results". The South African. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  4. ^ "DA North West to hold Virtual Provincial Congress this Saturday". content.voteda.org. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  5. ^ "New DA Caucus leadership in the North West Provincial Legislature following mid-term elections". Democratic Alliance - North West. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. ^ "DA North West Provincial Congress 2023 leadership election results". Democratic Alliance - North West. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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