11 Facts About Kobus Marais

Sarel Jacobus Francois "Kobus" Marais was born on 26 June 1959 and is a South African politician who served as a Member of Parliament with the Democratic Alliance from 2006 until 2024.

Kobus Marais obtained a bachelor's degree in economics and a Master of Business and Administration degree from Stellenbosch University.

Kobus Marais studied at the Cape Wine Academy and completed a Master Mentorship Course with the Department of Agriculture.

Kobus Marais started his career in corporate banking and went on to work as international marketing manager in the wine industry in 1989 in various capacities including a partnership in a wine exports business.

In 2006, Kobus Marais worked for the VinPro BEE Advisory Service, representing about 5,000 wine producers in promoting Black Economic Development at farm level.

Kobus Marais has been involved in politics in the Western Cape for many years, first serving as councillor and mayor in Rawsonville from 1995 to 2000 and then again as a Democratic Alliance councillor from 2000 to 2006, where he was nominated as the DA's mayoral candidate for the 2006 election.

Kobus Marais has held several other positions in the Western Cape provincial structures, including Breede Valley Local Management Committee Chairperson, Breede Valley Constituency Chairperson, West Region Treasurer, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee and Western Cape Provincial Treasurer.

Kobus Marais was elected to Parliament in 2006 where he served as the DA's spokesperson on Finance until 2009.

Kobus Marais was the DA spokesperson on disability until 2009 and is very involved in the community, particularly with disability-related organisations.

Kobus Marais later served as the DA's Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans from 2015 to 2024.

Kobus Marais did put himself forward for re-election at the 2024 elections but has decided not to take up his position and rather explore various opportunities in the South African Defence Industry.