Cameron Mackenzie | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies | |
| In office 5 June 2019 – 7 July 2021 | |
| Leader | Mmusi Maimane John Steenhuisen |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Shadow Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services | |
| In office 5 June 2014 – 5 June 2019 | |
| Leader | Mmusi Maimane |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| In office 21 May 2014 – 7 July 2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Ntombi Khumalo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 August 1960 |
| Died | 7 July 2021(2021-07-07) (aged 60) |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance (2005–2021) |
| Spouse | Lisa (until 2021; his death) |
| Children | Emma, Andrea, Thorne |
Cameron Mackenzie (12 August 1960 – 7 July 2021) was a South African politician andMember of Parliament in theNational Assembly for theDemocratic Alliance from 2014 to 2021. Mackenzie was also the Shadow Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.
The son of Donald and Jeanne Mackenzie fromInverness,Scotland, Mackenzie was a grade representative on the Students Representative Council (SRC) at his high school.[1] He refused to join theSouth African Defence Force for mandatoryNational Service, and left the country instead.[1] He returned in 1990 and got involved in politics, joining the ANC in 1992 after theBoipatong massacre. Mackenzie later left politics in protest following the conclusion of theArms Deal in 1996.[2] He held a bachelor's degree in Communications Sciences from theUniversity of South Africa, as well as several certificates including Media Freedom and Freedom in Africa from the University of the Witwatersrand.[3] He began his career in financial services, working for Baring Bros Ltd in the UK, ending up as MD of crisis communications and reputation management consultancy, Sentinel 360.[1]
Prior to the2006 municipal elections, Mackenzie decided to stand as an independent ward councillor candidate in theCity of Johannesburg, thinking that he could engage more constructively with theAfrican National Congress as an independent councillor.[2] He had the perception that theDemocratic Alliance was a party for only "wealthy white people".[2] After talking to the local DA councillor, John Mendelsohn, and after a tour of one of Johannesburg's more than 180 informal shack settlements, Mackenzie decided to join the party. He served on his ward's committee from 2006 until he was sworn in as a DA PR councillor in 2009.[2]
In the City of Johannesburg Council, MacKenzie served on the Finance, Economic Development, Transport and MPAC Section 79 committees. He was also appointed to the ad hoc committee on the appointment of an Ombudsman for the city of Johannesburg, where he assisted in drafting the by-law which was later passed into law.[4]
Mackenzie became a parliamentary candidate for the party in the2014 general elections. He appeared 42nd on the DA's national list thus qualifying for a seat in Parliament as the DA retained its status as official opposition.[5] Soon after, he was appointed byMmusi Maimane as Shadow Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services.[6]
Mackenzie was re-elected to parliament in the2019 general election and was appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies by Maimane.[7] He was reappointed to his shadow cabinet role by the newly elected DA leader,John Steenhuisen, in December 2020.[8]
MacKenzie was married to Lisa, and they had two older daughters, Emma and Andrea, and a son, Thorne.[9] On 7 January 2020, Mackenzie was shot during an attempted robbery inDainfern,Johannesburg.[10] After surgery, MacKenzie had almost fully recovered.[11]
MacKenzie died on 7 July 2021 inFourways due to COVID-19. He was the 14th known Member of Parliament to have died from the virus.[12]