Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Petrus Johannes “Pieter” Groenewald |
| Date of Birth | 27 August 1955 (age 69 years) |
| Place of Birth | South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political Party | Freedom Front Plus (FF+) |
| Current Role | Minister of Correctional Services (since July 2024) |
| Previous Roles | Leader of the Freedom Front Plus (since November 2016), Member of Parliament (House of Assembly and National Assembly), Provincial Legislator (North West) |
| Education | B.Iuris degree (Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education), Postgraduate Diploma in Communications, Master’s degree in Management and Development, Doctorate in Politics |
| Family | Son Michal Groenewald also serves as an MP for the FF+ |
Early Life
Petrus Johannes “Pieter” Groenewald was born on 27 August 1955 in South Africa. He pursued his education at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, where he obtained a B.Iuris degree. Groenewald furthered his academic pursuits with a Postgraduate Diploma in Communications, a master’s degree in Management and Development, and a Doctorate in Politics.
Political Career
Pieter Groenewald’s political journey began in 1988 when he was elected as the Mayor of Stilfontein. His leadership role in local government was short-lived as he transitioned to national politics the following year. In 1989, Groenewald was elected to the House of Assembly of South Africa, representing the Stilfontein constituency.
In March 1994, amidst the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, Groenewald co-founded the Freedom Front, a political party advocating for minority rights and promoting Afrikaner nationalism. He was elected to the newly-established National Assembly later that year. Subsequently, Groenewald served as a Member of Parliament until he was elected to the North West Provincial Legislature in 1999. He returned to the National Assembly in 2001, continuing to champion the interests of his constituents.
Within the Freedom Front Plus, Groenewald held significant leadership positions, including Parliamentary Leader and Federal Chairperson from August 2011 to November 2016. He also served as the Provincial Leader of the party in the North West from March 1994 to March 2017.
On 12 November 2016, Pieter Groenewald was elected as the Leader of the Freedom Front Plus, succeeding Pieter Mulder. Under his leadership, the party achieved its best electoral performance in the 2019 general elections, securing 2.38% of the national vote and ten seats in the National Assembly, marking its strongest showing since inception.
Ministerial Appointment
In recognition of his leadership and dedication to public service, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Pieter Groenewald as the Minister of Correctional Services, effective from 3 July 2024. In this role, Groenewald continues his commitment to improving correctional services and contributing to the governance of South Africa.
Personal Life
Pieter Groenewald’s family includes his son, Michal Groenewald, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for the Freedom Front Plus. Together with his family, Groenewald remains steadfast in his commitment to serving his country and advocating for the principles and values he believes in.
Pieter Groenewald’s career is marked by a deep-rooted commitment to representing his community, advancing Afrikaner interests, and contributing to the political landscape of South Africa through principled leadership and service.