11 Facts About Ryan Coetzee

1.

Ryan Nicolas Coetzee was born on 8 January 1973 and is a South African politician and political strategist, who served as special adviser to Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Nick Clegg and was the 2015 General Election Director of Strategy at Liberal Democrat HQ.

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2.

Ryan Coetzee previously served as a Member of South Africa's Parliament between 2004 and 2008, as CEO of South Africa's official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance between 2004 and 2009, and as the party's general election campaign chief in 2006,2009, and 2011.

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3.

Ryan Coetzee served as chief adviser to Western Cape Premier Helen Zille between 2009 and 2012.

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4.

In 1997 Ryan Coetzee was picked by DP leader Tony Leon to head up the party's parliamentary operations at the age of 24.

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5.

From 1999, Ryan Coetzee was the party's chief strategist, playing a central role in the party's election campaigns, which saw the DA grow from 1.

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6.

Mbeki responded by accusing Ryan Coetzee of succumbing to the "disease of racism", but avoided responding directly, thus reigniting criticism of his government's response to the pandemic.

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7.

In 2005, Ryan Coetzee was appointed the DA's CEO, in which role he radically reorganised the party and its finances, and designed and managed the 2006 local government election campaign and the 2009 general election campaign.

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8.

In 2009, Ryan Coetzee resigned as party CEO to become a Special Advisor to the Premier of the Western Cape and party leader Helen Zille, with a brief to co-ordinate government policy and strategy.

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9.

Ryan Coetzee worked with Andrew Cooper on the Stronger In's strategy and messaging, conducting focus groups of voters.

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10.

In 2020, Ryan Coetzee was reported to be heading up a £5m marketing campaign for the Hong Kong government.

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11.

Ryan Coetzee has a Transgender daughter, Dakota Ryan Coetzee, born on 20 October 2006.

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