Pieter Gabriel Marais (died 28 December 2001) was a South African politician who served as the last Minister of Education of the apartheid era. He represented the National Party (NP) in the House of Assembly from 1982 to 1994, serving the Stellenbosch constituency, and went on to represent the NP in the first democratic Parliament from 1994 until his retirement in 1999.
Piet Marais | |
|---|---|
| House of Assembly | |
| Assembly Member for Stellenbosch | |
| In office 1982–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pieter Gabriel Marais Stellenbosch, Cape Province Union of South Africa |
| Died | 28 December 2001 Stellenbosch, Western Cape Republic of South Africa |
| Political party | National Party |
Life and career edit
Marais entered the House of Assembly in a by-election in 1982 and served as MP for his hometown, Stellenbosch.[1] He was a member of the NP's progressive verligte ("enlightened") caucus, which supported reforming the apartheid system.[1][2] Under President F. W. de Klerk, he served as minister for white education during the democratic transition, and in that capacity he was involved in constitutional negotiations.[1]
In the 1994 general election, Marais was elected to represent the NP in the new National Assembly,[3] though he was transferred to the National Council of Provinces during the legislative term.[1][4] He was the NP's lead negotiator in negotiations on the education clause of the 1996 Constitution,[5] and he also served as an adviser to NP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk.[1] He retired from politics in 1999 and died on 28 December 2001 in Stellenbosch, several weeks after being diagnosed with liver cancer.[1]
Personal life edit
He was married to Annatjie Marais, with whom he had three children.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Oudminister Piet Marais sterf in tuisdorp aan kanker". Rapport (in Afrikaans). 29 December 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Running for change in S. Africa". Washington Post. 1 May 1987. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ South Africa: Campaign and Election Report April 26–29, 1994. International Republican Institute. 1994. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via Yumpu.
- ^ "Marais, Peter Gabriel". Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. 28 June 1998. Archived from the original on 28 June 1998. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Birth of SA's highest law: The final countdown begins". The Mail & Guardian. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2023.