From community activism to provincial leadership – 37 year old, Werner Pretorius says his political journey has been driven by a commitment to service delivery, accountable governance, and creating meaningful change for residents across Mangaung and the Free State.
For Pretorius, politics was never simply about holding office but rather about becoming actively involved in improving the lives of ordinary residents. Today, as the DA’s Free State Chairperson and Mangaung Mayoral Candidate, Pretorius says his political journey has been shaped by years of community involvement, persistence, and a commitment to accountable governance.
His interest in politics and governance began at a young age through a fascination with current affairs and the way government decisions impact communities on a daily basis. Over time, that interest developed into a desire to play a direct role in addressing the challenges facing local communities.
I could no longer stand on the sidelines and complain. I decided to “I could no longer stand on the sidelines and complain. I decided to get involved to make a difference in my suburb, town, and province,” Pretorius says.
Starting at grassroots level, Pretorius became involved in local politics and community issues before serving as a ward councillor. He later expanded his role into provincial politics as a member of the legislature; experiences he says exposed him to both the strengths and failures within government systems.
Throughout his political career, he has built a reputation for service delivery oversight, accountability, and advocating for residents affected by poor governance. Pretorius believes working across different spheres of government has equipped him with practical insight into the challenges municipalities face.
“I have built a track record of not just identifying problems but actively fighting for better services and holding those in power accountable,” he explains. “I bring both insight and execution, the ability to understand the system and the determination to fix it.” As a husband and father, he values spending time with his family outside of politics.
“My days are filled with meetings, stakeholder engagements, planning, and administrative work, but I also make time for family, going to the gym, taking my daughter to the park, and playing squash,” he says. Pretorius’ political journey has also been shaped by his academic achievements. He obtained degrees in commerce and law from the University of the Free State, was admitted as an attorney in the High Court, and later completed master’s studies in management and law.
Now setting his sights on leading Mangaung, Pretorius says his vision is centred on restoring functional governance, improving service delivery, and rebuilding public trust in local government. He hopes to see Mangaung become the first municipality in the Free State to achieve a clean audit outcome in several years while creating opportunities for residents and future generations. “Most importantly, it is about ensuring that every child in Mangaung grows up with hope, access to quality services, and the chance to succeed,” he explains.
His advice to young people hoping to pursue leadership roles remains simple: “Be brave enough to take the first step and continue taking steps toward your goals every day.”
Get in touch: 051 011 0076
Email: Freestate-info@da.org.da
