Leader Helen Zille Party Democratic Alliance Nationality South African | Preceded by Patricia Kopane Role South African Politician Preceded by Sandy Kalyan Name Mike Waters Succeeded by Patricia Kopane | |
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Born 30 June 1967 (age 56)
Middlesbrough, United Kingdom ( 1967-06-30 ) Alma mater Technikon Witwatersrand | ||
Political party Democratic Alliance Education Technikon Witwatersrand | ||
Mike Waters (born 30 June 1967) is a South African politician, and Member of Parliament for the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), where he serves as the Shadow Deputy Chief Whip. He has served as the Shadow Minister of Health and as the Shadow Minister of Social Development.
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Early life
Mike Waters attended Bedfordview High School before attaining a diploma in Human Resources from Technikon Witwatersrand. He joined the Democratic Party in 1989, and became president of the DP National Youth in 1994.
Political career
Waters began his professional political career on the Kempton Park town council, winning a landmark by-election against the National Party in 1997. He was elected to Parliament in 1999, and subsequently was appointed DA spokesperson on Child Abuse. In 2004 he became Social Development spokesperson. He succeeded Gareth Morgan as Shadow Health Minister in 2006, a position he held until 2012.
AIDS policy
Waters has been a vocal critic of the African National Congress's health policies, particularly those of controversial former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
Child abuse
As the DA's spokesperson on child abuse, Waters visited all 45 child protection units in South Africa during 2002. The following year he visited all 48 sexual offences units. He was vocally critical of the ruling ANC's decision to disband the amalgamated Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units in 2006.
National Health Insurance
Waters has publicly criticised the ANC's proposed national health insurance scheme. He has labeled the plan anti-poor and irresponsible: