Michael Bagraim
Michael Bagraim | |
|---|---|
 Bagraim being sworn in on 22 May 2019 | |
| Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment | |
| In office 5 June 2019 – 14 June 2024 | |
| Leader | Mmusi Maimane John Steenhuisen |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Post vacant |
| Shadow Minister of Labour | |
| In office 1 June 2017 – 5 June 2019 | |
| Deputy | Derrick America |
| Leader | Mmusi Maimane |
| Preceded by | Ian Ollis |
| Succeeded by | Post abolished |
| Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour | |
| In office 5 June 2014 – 1 June 2017 | |
| Leader | Mmusi Maimane |
| Preceded by | Haniff Hoosen |
| Succeeded by | Derrick America |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Bagraim 9 October 1956 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance |
| Education | Cape Town High School |
| Alma mater | Rhodes University |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament |
| Profession | Labour lawyer Politician |
Michael Bagraim (born 9 October 1956) is a South African politician and labour lawyer. A member of the Democratic Alliance, he was elected to the National Assembly in 2014. He was then appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour. In 2017, Bagraim was promoted to Shadow Minister of Labour. After the 2019 election, he was made Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.
Background
[edit]Bagraim was born into a Jewish family in Cape Town.[1] He matriculated from Cape Town High School before he went on to study at Rhodes University where he graduated with a BA degree in political science and an LLB degree.[2] Bagraim served on the university's Student Representative Council (SRC) and represented Rhodes University on the Debating Society and Law Students' Association.[3]
In 1982, Bagraim was admitted as an advocate.[2] He was admitted as an attorney four years later. He then founded Michael Bagraim & Associates and worked as a consultant.[2] Bagraim is trustee of the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industries, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the MOSAIC – Training, Service and Healing Centre for Women.[3]
Political career
[edit]Bagraim stood as a Democratic Alliance parliamentary candidate from Western Cape in the 2014 national elections, and was subsequently elected to the National Assembly as the DA retained its position as the official opposition. Bagraim sworn in on 21 May 2014.[4] On 5 June 2014, the DA parliamentary leader, Mmusi Maimane, appointed Bagraim as Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour, deputising for Ian Ollis.[5] Later that month, he became a member of the Portfolio Committee on Labour.[3]
On 1 June 2017, he was appointed Shadow Minister of Labour, replacing Ollis.[6][7] Bagraim was re-elected to parliament in the 8 May 2019 general election.[8] Soon after, he was appointed by Maimane to be Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.[9] Maimane resigned as DA leader in October 2019 and John Steenhuisen was elected to succeed him as interim leader. He temporarily retained Maimane's shadow cabinet.[10]
Bagraim said in May 2020 that South Africa's labour legislation needs re-engineering, because the labour laws have "done nothing to enhance job creation".[11] He argued in an opinion piece in September 2020 that the Unemployed Insurance Fund had failed the South African workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]
After Steenhuisen was elected DA leader for a full term in November 2020, he announced his shadow cabinet in December 2020. Bagraim remained as Shadow Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.[13]
In the 2020 Register of Members’ Interests, Bagraim disclosed that he was a director of a labour law consulting firm.[14]
Bagraim was re-elected to Parliament in the 2024 general election.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Two Jewish MPs talk on their roles in Parliament". sajr.co.za. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "Michael Bagraim". bagraimsattorneys.co.za. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mr Michael Bagraim". People's Assembly. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "2014 elections: List of DA MPs elected to the National Assembly". Politicsweb. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Maimane, Mmusi (5 June 2014). "The DA's shadow cabinet - Mmusi Maimane". Politicsweb. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Ferreira, Emise (1 June 2017). "DA makes key changes to shadow Cabinet". Independent Online. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Davis, Gaye (1 June 2017). "DA's Mmusi Maimane reshuffles shadow Cabinet". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "SEE: These are the people who will represent you in Parliament, provincial legislatures". News24. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Gerber, Jan (5 June 2019). "Here's the DA's 'shadow cabinet'". News24. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ De Klerk, Aphiwe (17 November 2019). "John Steenhuisen elected DA interim leader". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Bagraim, Michael (26 May 2020). "SA's labour legislation needs re-engineering". IOL. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Bagraim, Michael (10 September 2020). "The UIF has failed the SA workforce". IOL. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ Mazzone, Natasha (5 December 2020). "DA announces new Shadow Cabinet that will bring Real Hope and Real Change". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "MPs moonlighting, getting money from churches, and even free mall parking. Find out what else they have declared". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "The 400 MPs elected to the National Assembly - IEC - DOCUMENTS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 10 July 2024.