Everything you should know about Democractic Alliance’s Helen Zille.
Social media is always quick to notice the bold and the daring. Mzansi noticed D.A’s Helen Zille and loved her instantly. She became a trending topic on X after she she challenged ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula’s knowledge of the Government of National Unity (Unity) agreement.
According to a report by The South African, Otta Helene Maree is known for her “tough-as-nails persona in the Democratic Alliance (DA).” The publication also describes her as a “cutthroat politician, a loving and supportive mother, wife, and grandmother.”
She reportedly married to retired professor Johann Maree, who has a PhD in sociology from the University of Cape Town. They tied the knot in 1982 and have continued to celebrate each other since. Helen is said to have tweeted in 2017,
“A strong marriage is life’s greatest blessing,”
She also wrote in July of the same year,
“Johann and I having our first dancing lesson in 35 years of marriage. It’s taken a lot of persuasion. Thanks #Enerchi.”
Helen and Johann have two sons together; Paul and Thomas. Paul is married Gretl Visser, a mathematics teacher in 2014. Gretl is also the founder of Paper Video, an organisation that distributes educational resources to students around the country.
Helen wrote, “Wonderful to see my son Paul marrying the lovely Gretl Visser.”
Paul is a member of Beams, a music band that has played at several of Cape Town’s hot spots. Thomas, on the other hand, is a digital marketing manager and has worked for Showmax and CNBC Africa.
Paul and Gretl have a daughter named Mila.
