Roy Jankielsohn

Roy Jankielsohn (born 3 December 1967) is a South African politician who has been the leader of the opposition in the Free State Provincial Legislature since 2014. He has been the provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State since 2020.

From 2000 to 2006, Jankielsohn represented the DA and Democratic Party in the National Assembly, where he was a member of Tony Leon's shadow cabinet. In December 2006, he joined the Free State Provincial Legislature as leader of the DA caucus, a position he has held since then. He also served an earlier term as DA provincial leader from 2006 to 2012.

Early career and education Born 3 December 1967, Jankielsohn grew up on a farm near Steynsrus in the former Orange Free State. He holds a PhD in political studies from the University of the North West,

Jankielsohn was formerly a lecturer at UFS. As a member of the DP's federal council, he was involved in negotiations to establish the Democratic Alliance (DA), which originated as a multi-party opposition coalition.

In the 2004 general election, Jankielsohn was ranked second on the DA's party regional party list for the Free State. He was re-elected and, now alongside Sandra Botha, continued as one of the party's two representatives in the Free State caucus. in that capacity, he was a prominent critic of Minister Charles Nqakula. In a reshuffle in July 2006, he was moved to a new portfolio as spokesperson on defence.

Later in 2006, upon the conclusion of his term as DA provincial chairperson, Jankielsohn was elected as provincial leader of the DA in the Free State.

Free State Legislature: 2006–present

DA caucus leader: 2006–present Jankielsohn entered the Free State Provincial Legislature as leader of the DA's caucus in the province. he continued to serve as caucus leader even after September 2012, when he was succeeded as DA provincial leader by Patricia Kopane; because Kopane served in the National Assembly, he was allowed to retain his position at the head of the party in the provincial legislature.

In the 2014 general election, the DA ousted the Congress of the People as the official opposition in the Free State Provincial Legislature, with a record five seats in the chamber. As Kopane remained in the National Assembly, Jankielsohn continued as the party's caucus leader and therefore became official leader of the opposition in the province, assisted by caucus chairperson James Letuka. Jankielsohn has retained that position since 2014, as the DA remained the official opposition after the 2019 general election.

As leader of the opposition, Jankielsohn continued a campaign he had taken up earlier to attract the attention of law enforcement to alleged maladministration of the Vrede Dairy Project. He submitted three related complaints to the Public Protector between 2013 and 2016 and later testified about the project before the Zondo Commission.

DA provincial leader: 2020–present In 2020, Kopane announced that she would not seek re-election to another term as DA provincial leader. At the party's provincial elective congress in November that year, Jankielsohn was elected to return to his former office to succeed her. He was re-elected unopposed in January 2023.

On 11 August 2023, Jankielsohn was announced as the DA's Free State Premier candidate for the 2024 provincial election.

Personal life He is married to Astrid Jankielsohn, who is an entomologist. They have one son and live on a farm outside Bethlehem, Free State.