Dennis Bloem is a well-known politician from South Africa, his role as the national spokesperson for COPE is what has made him one of the most famous politician in South Africa. He has held numerous positions within the political party.
Age
Dennis Bloem was born on August 4, 1952.
Early life
He was raised in Kroonstad’s colored area, Brentpark. He finished his education at Kroonstad, Free State’s Brent Park.
Later on, he worked as an organizer in the Orange Free State for the United Democratic Front, which was affiliated with the ANC. In 1969, Bloem was employed at his father’s painting business as a painter.
His involvement in activism resulted in his and three other people’s detention in 1992.
Political Career
Dennis Bloem was employed from 1969 until 1979 at the Union Steam Bakery in Kroonstad. He was elected to the Senate by the ANC in the 1994 general election. After the ANC reorganized its parliamentary caucuses in 1997, he took a seat in the National Assembly.
In 1999 and 2004, he was elected to two more terms in the National Assembly.
From 2004 until 2009, the lawmaker presided over the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services. In anticipation of the 2009 general election, the Electoral Commission released the draft party lists. Dennis made an appearance as an ANC and COPE contender.
Shortly after, Dennis Bloem declared that he was joining COPE, the breakaway party of the African National Congress, instead of staying in the party. He emerged victorious in the general election to represent COPE in the Free State as a delegate to the National Council of Provinces.
Following his term, Denis Bloem ran in the 2014 general election for re-election to Parliament. He was ranked fourth on the national party list of COPE.
Despite winning three seats in the National Assembly, COPE did not fare well in the elections. Dennis Bloem was unable to secure a seat. In 2019, he failed to secure a parliamentary seat, coming in at number 34 on the national party list.
Dennis Bloem ranked first on the Gauteng provincial party list. However, COPE failed to secure any provincial seats. Despite losing those seats, he continued to be involved in the party.
As the party’s national spokesperson in 2022, Bloem became embroiled in a power struggle within the organization. The political group was founded in 2008 by former ANC members.
In 2023, Dennis Bloem, the COPE spokesperson, announced his resignation from the party. Dennis Bloem’s membership in the party was canceled, according to Teboho Loate, the National Chairperson of the party. During the Congress National Committee in Bloemfontein, he was sacked from the party instead of resigning. He departed in an attempt to preserve his reputation.
Positions
Dennis Bloem has held several positions, some of which are listed below:
- 34th Congress candidate from the People’s National Election List, running in April and May 2019.
- First-place candidate on the People’s Congress Provincial Gauteng Election List for April–May 2019.
- Congress of the People Regional Gauteng Election List, Third Runner, April–May 2019.
- 4th Candidate at Congress of the People National Election List from April to May 2014.
- Member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Protection of State Information Bill (NCOP) until May 2014.
- Member of the Committee on Petitions and Members’ Legislative Proposals until May 2014.
- Member of the Select Committee on Appropriations until May 2014.
- Member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee until May 2014.
- Member of the Constitutional Review Committee until May 2014.
- Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Defense until May 2014.
- Member of Joint Committee on Delegated Legislation until May 2014 Constituency Contact at COPE Constituency Office: Free State until May 2014.
- Member of the Ad Hoc Committee on General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (NCOP) until May 2014.
- Delegate at the National Council of Provinces from 2009 to 2014.
- Member of the Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (NCOP Committees) until April 2014.
- Party Whip at the National Council of Provinces (Parliament) until April 2014.
- Member of Select Committee on Appropriations (NCOP Committees) until April 2014.
- Member of Select Committee on Petitions and Private Members Legislative Proposals (NCOP Committees) until April 2014.
- Member of the Select Committee on Finance (NCOP Committees) until April 2014.
- Member of the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development (NCOP Committees) until April 2014.
Marriage
Dennis Bloem is legally married to Minah Sindane-Bloem. The marriage is blessed with five children.