37 Facts About Natasha Mazzone

Natasha Wendy Anita Mazzone was born on 9 May 1979 and is a South African politician who served as the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa from October 2019 until August 2022.

Natasha Mazzone has been a Member of the National Assembly, representing the official opposition Democratic Alliance, since 2009.

Natasha Mazzone was the second Deputy Federal Council Chairperson of the DA and the party's spokesperson on state capture.

Natasha Mazzone is the child of immigrant parents and was born in Pretoria, South Africa.

Natasha Mazzone's father Giovanni was born in Pietrastornina in the Province of Avellino in Italy and was a chef.

Natasha Mazzone attended Sunnyside Primary School and matriculated from The Glen High School, Pretoria in 1996.

Natasha Mazzone was active in student politics at UP, serving as the speaker of the Students' Representative Council between 2000 and 2001.

Natasha Mazzone left the UP in 2002 and enrolled at the University of South Africa.

Natasha Mazzone did other courses in 2003,2007, and 2010, respectively, but she did not receive sufficient credits to get her law degree.

Natasha Mazzone completed her articles in accordance with Section 5 of the Attorneys Act, which stated that a candidate could do their articles in five years if they were studying towards an LLB.

In 2004, Natasha Mazzone did a practical legal training course at Legal Education and Development and received a certificate.

Natasha Mazzone studied music and opera at the Lorraine Haverman school of music.

In 2010 Natasha Mazzone was selected to attend the American Council of Young Political Leaders program.

Natasha Mazzone started her political career in 1997 at the University of Pretoria where she was the chairperson of the Democratic Party Youth branch.

In 1999, Natasha Mazzone was elected as the Speaker of the UP SRC.

Natasha Mazzone was then elected as the National Federal Youth Leader of the DA, a position she held until 2004.

In 2000, Natasha Mazzone stood for election as a city councillor in the Tshwane Metro.

Natasha Mazzone was sworn in as a Member of Parliament on 6 May 2009.

Natasha Mazzone was first made the Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development by Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip.

Natasha Mazzone held this position until newly elected Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko appointed her to the position of Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises.

Natasha Mazzone represents the Democratic Alliance on the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Rules Committee.

Natasha Mazzone has been involved in the provincial politics of Gauteng.

Natasha Mazzone was elected as one of three deputy provincial chairpersons of the Democratic Alliance in October 2009.

Natasha Mazzone faced former DA MP Janet Semple and incumbent John Moodey.

Natasha Mazzone was eliminated in the first round and Semple went on to narrowly win the election.

At the DA's 2018 Federal Congress, Natasha Mazzone was elected as the second Deputy Federal Council Chairperson of the party.

Natasha Mazzone's election was initially disputed by Khume Ramulifho, who contested the position, and other senior DA politicians.

On 31 October 2019, Natasha Mazzone was appointed Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, succeeding John Steenhuisen, who was elected DA parliamentary leader and became Leader of the Opposition.

Natasha Mazzone was appointed as the National Security Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition and will now serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

In March 2023, Natasha Mazzone announced that she was a candidate for one of the three deputy federal chairperson positions at the party's Federal Congress in April.

Natasha Mazzone endorsed Steenhuisen for a second term as party leader.

Natasha Mazzone lost at the party's congress on 2 April 2023.

Natasha Mazzone was appointed as Shadow Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies on 21 April 2023.

Natasha Mazzone was re-elected for a fourth term in Parliament in the 2024 general election.

Natasha Mazzone was then accused by Good party Secretary-General Brett Herron of editing the Wikipedia article about her to remove the word 'Advocate' from the infobox and lying about having a law degree and being an advocate.

Natasha Mazzone has accused detractors of "fiddling" with the Wikipedia article and said she didn't complete the degree, but did do legal articles.

Natasha Mazzone married fellow Democratic Alliance MP Kevin Mileham in July 2017.