KNYSNA NEWS - Ryan Smith will remain as constituency head for Knysna for the DA - even though he has been promoted as the party's official spokesperson on international relations.
Smith, whose appointment was announced on Monday 28 July, succeeded now minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dr Dion George, as Knysna constituency head a year ago.
Smith, an MP, was deputy to his predecessor, Emma Louise Powell, as DA international relations spokesperson and has experience in working at the European Parliament in Brussels. Powell announced her resignation of her position on Monday.
" She did a fantastic job in this role and I certainly have big shoes to fill," said Smith.
National interest
However, he said political dynamics in South Africa have shifted and a new approach must now be forged to draft and implement a foreign policy that is loyal to our Constitution while serving the needs of all South Africans in equal measure.
"The biggest challenges in the new role will ultimately be determining South Africa's national interest in the GNU environment, where our foreign policy can be led by what's good for South Africa and not what's good for the ANC," he said.
"South Africa desperately needs a revised foreign policy with a focus on removing obstacles to trade and investment, positioning our country as a consistent and credible voice on the international stage, and acting as a dependable middle power to advance democracy and freedom in our region."
Invested in Knysna
Since his appointment as the DA's constituency head for Knysna he has been coming to grips with the issues of day-to-day service delivery in Knysna and the long-term sustainability of the town. He said this has been an enlightening and challenging experience.
"The current ANC-led coalition has predictably done more harm than good, and a solid DA majority remains threatened by political fragmentation and the rise of independents and small parties. But we forge on.
"The DA is by no means perfect, but we're invested in Knysna and we're doing everything we can to keep the ship afloat until we win an outright majority again in the 2026 local government election," he said.
Smith is from Johannesburg and has lived and worked in Belgium before settling in Cape Town 12 years ago.
He has family in George and Wilderness and has been a frequent visitor.
"I am so grateful for the warmth with which I have been received by Knysna's residents from all communities. It really is a wonderful town that deserves a solid and reliable government that is on their side," he said.
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