David Douglas „Des“ van Rooyen (* 20. November 1968) ist der ehemalige Minister für Kooperative Regierungsführung und Traditionelle Angelegenheiten sowie Finanzminister der Republik Südafrika. Er trat sein Amt am 13. Dezember 2015 an und wurde am 27. Februar 2018 von Präsident Cyril Ramaphosa aus dem Kabinett entlassen .

Bei den südafrikanischen Parlamentswahlen 2024 wurde er als Abgeordneter der Nationalversammlung für uMkhonto we Sizwe gewählt .

Politische Karriere

Afrikanischer Nationalkongress

Van Rooyen diente als Aktivist und Soldat der paramilitärischen Truppe des Afrikanischen Nationalkongresses, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), die 1994 in die südafrikanischen Streitkräfte integriert wurde . Van Rooyen bekleidete außerdem verschiedene Führungspositionen in Arbeiter- und Studentenorganisationen wie COSAS, dem Khutsong Student Congress, der United Democratic Front und der National Union of Mineworkers . [ 1 ]

Van Rooyen bekleidete von 1994 bis 2007 verschiedene Führungspositionen im ANC und wurde in dieser Zeit zum Bürgermeister der Stadt Merafong in der Provinz Gauteng gewählt. [ 2 ] Seit 2009 ist er Abgeordneter der Nationalversammlung für den Wahlkreis Westville Westonaria. Von 2009 bis 2014 war Van Rooyen Fraktionsvorsitzender der Partei in der Nationalversammlung und von 2014 bis 2015 Fraktionsvorsitzender im Ständigen Finanzausschuss sowie im Ausschuss für wirtschaftliche Transformation der Nationalversammlung. [ 3 ]

Kabinettsfunktionen

Van Rooyen was appointed the Minister of Finance by President Jacob Zuma on 9 December 2015 after the removal of Nhlanhla Nene from the position.[4][5] Van Rooyen was sworn into office the following day.[6] The markets reacted negatively to his appointment as the South African rand dropped as much as 5.4 percent against the dollar in a single day.[7] President Jacob Zuma reversed his decision late on 13 December 2015 when he announced that Van Rooyen would switch positions with then Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan.[8] Van Rooyen and Gordhan took their new positions the next day without swearing in ceremonies as they were both already ministers in the government.[9]

Van Rooyen's four-day tenure as Minister of Finance earned him the nickname "Weekend Special" in South African media.[10]

uMkhonto we Sizwe Party

Van Rooyen joined the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in 2024, and represents the party in the National Assembly of South Africa.

On 4 November 2025, he was named MK's chief whip in Parliament, but his appointment was reversed by Jacob Zuma the following day, leading local media to draw parallels with his short tenure as Finance Minister.[11]

Education

Van Rooyen attended high school at Badirile High in Khutsong, Carletonville, where he led the student body in a youth movement. He was detained several times before he fled South Africa.

Van Rooyen earned an MSc in Finance (Economic Policy) from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London (2014) and a master's degree in Public Development and Management from the University of the Witwatersrand (2009).[12] He also holds a certificate in investment analysis and portfolio management from UNISA,[3][13] as well as several other qualifications including Diplomas in Business Management, Municipal Governance, Councillor Development, Municipal Finance, and Economic & Public Finance.[3]

Private life

Van Rooyen owns a property in Suideroord, Johannesburg. According to the Parliamentary Register of Members' Interests, Van Rooyen is partner or director of several companies.[13] He has personal interests in soccer, golf, tennis, reading and hunting.[13]

References

  1. ^Whittles, Govan (10 December 2015). "WHO IS DAVID VAN ROOYEN?". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  2. ^Salie, Fadia (10 December 2015). "Who is David van Rooyen: The man who must fill Nene's shoes". Times Live. Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  3. ^ abc"Meet David van Rooyen: The man who must fill Nene's shoes". fin24. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  4. ^Agency Staff. "Zuma removes Nene as finance minister". Times LIVE. Archived from the original on 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. ^Aurelie Kalenga (9 December 2015). "Nhlanhla Nene removed as finance minister". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  6. ^Essop, Rahima (10 December 2015). "David Van Rooyen sworn in as new finance minister". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  7. ^Mike Cohen. "Rand plunges after Nene's shock exit". IOL. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. ^"Full statement: Zuma appoints Pravin Gordhan as finance minister again". City Press. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  9. ^Makhafola, Getrude (14 December 2015). "No swearing in for Gordhan". IOL News. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  10. ^Aref, Ahmed (14 December 2015). "David van Rooyen: Twitter's weekend special". BizNews. News24. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  11. ^ Goba, Thabiso. „MK-Parteiführung: Es war schmerzhaft, aber notwendig für Zuma, van Rooyen zu feuern“ . EWN . Abgerufen am 28. November 2025 .
  12. ^ „Van Rooyen der akademisch am besten qualifizierte Finanzminister – Africa Check“ . fin24.com . Abgerufen am 27. Februar 2018 .
  13. ^ a b c „David Douglas Des Van Rooyen“ . pa.org.za . Abgerufen am 27. Februar 2018 .