Gert C Oosthuizen

Mr Gert C Oosthuizen is Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation of the Republic of South Africa; a position he has held since 11 May 2004, and to which he was re-appointed in May 2014. Mr Oosthuizen holds a BA degree in Political Science and a BA Honours degree in Development Studies both from the University of Johannesburg (previously known as the Rand Afrikaans University). He has completed various other courses and study tours.

Mr Oosthuizen was a member of the South African Air Force up to the Rank of captain from 1980 until 1983, after which was self employed until 1987.

In 1987, he was elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Pretoria Central. From 1989 to 1999, he served as whip in Parliament and was elected as a member of the first Democratic Parliament in South Africa for the period 1994 to 1999.

Mr Oosthuizen became deputy chairperson of the Pretoria Region of the National Party from 1994 until 2000; . On 24 October 2000, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was deployed to the Parliament in February 2001 where he served as member of the ANC Strategy Committee and on the Joint Defence Committee.

From February 2001 to 2004, he served as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Defence; and as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.

Mr Oosthuizen also served on the executives of various cultural, religious and community organisations and earned a bursary for tertiary studies. As a keen sportsman, he played Craven Week rugby, and also participated in squash, athletics and long jump.