18 Facts About Annelie Lotriet

Annelie Lotriet has served in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet since she joined the National Assembly in 2009.

Annelie Lotriet is a Deputy Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance Federal Council.

Annelie Lotriet went on to serve as Shadow Minister of Arts and Culture from 2009 to 2012, Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2012 to 2014, Shadow Minister of Science and Technology from 2014 to 2019, and DA Caucus Chairperson from 2019 to 2022.

In parallel with her parliamentary activities, Annelie Lotriet was DA Provincial Chairperson in the Free State between September 2012 and November 2020.

Annelie Lotriet was a member of the student representative council at university and was a member of the Progressive Federal Party in the 1980s.

Between 1985 and 1994, Annelie Lotriet was a lecturer in the education department at Vista University in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State.

In tandem with her academic career, Annelie Lotriet was a member of the Pan South African Language Board, a president of Free State Aquatics, and, from 1985 to 2000, a member of the board of directors of OFM.

Annelie Lotriet joined the Democratic Party in 1999, and in 2000 she was elected to represent the Democratic Alliance as a ward councillor in Mangaung, Free State.

Annelie Lotriet entered politics full-time after the April 2009 general election, when she was elected to represent the DA in the National Assembly, the lower house of the South African Parliament.

Annelie Lotriet succeeded Desiree van der Walt as Shadow Minister of Arts and Culture in the Shadow Cabinet of Athol Trollip, and in February 2012 she was reshuffled to serve as Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training in the Shadow Cabinet of Lindiwe Mazibuko.

Annelie Lotriet represented the DA in the ad hoc constitutional review committee established by Parliament to debate land expropriation without compensation.

Annelie Lotriet was re-elected to her position as DA provincial chairperson in April 2015 and October 2017 respectively.

Pursuant to the May 2019 general election, Annelie Lotriet was one of two candidates nominated to succeed Anchen Dreyer as chairperson of the DA's parliamentary caucus.

Annelie Lotriet was defeated in a vote by the African National Congress candidate, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who won 199 votes to Lotriet's 82.

Annelie Lotriet continued to serve as DA caucus chairperson, gaining re-election in the DA's internal midterm elections in December 2021, and during this period she represented the DA in the parliamentary committee that recommended Busisiwe Mkhwebane's impeachment.

At the DA's next federal congress in Johannesburg in April 2023, Annelie Lotriet stood for election as deputy chairperson of the DA Federal Council, this time as one of seven candidates.

Annelie Lotriet was re-elected to her parliamentary seat in the May 2024 general election.

Annelie Lotriet is married to Pieter Lotriet, with whom she has four adult sons.