Natasha Michael

Natasha Mazzone Michael MP
Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises
Incumbent
Assumed office 2012
Leader	Helen Zille
Preceded by	Manie Van Dyk
Shadow Minister of Communications
In office 2009–2011
Preceded by	Niekie van den Berg
Succeeded by	Marian Shinn
Member of Parliament for Southern Pretoria, Gauteng
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 May 2009
Personal details
Born	9 May 1979 Pretoria, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Political party	Democratic Alliance
Spouse(s)	Clyde Michael
Residence	Pretoria, South Africa
Alma mater	University of Pretoria and UNISA
Occupation	Member of Parliament
Profession	Politician

Natasha Michael (born Mazzone) is a South African politician, a Member of the South African Parliament with the Democratic Alliance (South Africa) and the Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises. Michael was elected to Parliament on 6 May 2009. She was first made the Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. During the first Shadow cabinet reshuffle Michael was made the Shadow Minister of Communications. She held this position until the second cabinet reshuffle during which she was made the Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises.

Politics

Natasha started her political career in 1997 at the University of Pretoria (UP) where she was the chairperson of the Democratic Party (DP) Youth branch. In 1998, Natasha was elected as the National Federal Youth Leader of the DP. In the same year Natasha was elected to the Student Representative Council at UP and was the Executive member for Student Safety. In 1999, Natasha was elected as the Speaker of the UP SRC. In 2000, the Democratic Alliance (DA) was formed and the DP formed part of this merger. Natasha was then elected as the National Federal Youth Leader of the DA, a position she held until 2004.

In 2000 Natasha also stood for election as a city councillor in the Tshwane Metro. In December of that year, Natasha was elected and at age 21 was the youngest councillor in the Metro. In 2003, the DA caucus in the Metro elected Natasha to the position of Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, Natasha held this position until her election to Parliament in May 2009.

Natasha is the child of immigrant parents. Natasha's father Giovanni was born in Pietrastornina in the province of Avellino, very near Naples in Italy. Natasha's mother Valerie was born in London, England. Natasha is the youngest of three children and has a brother Fortunato and a sister Maria. In December 2002, Natasha married Clyde. Natasha has no children and lives with Clyde in Pretoria.

Natasha went to The Glen High School. She was a prefect and Head of clan Stewart. Natasha is a very proud Glenwegian (old girl or boy). Natasha's primary schooling was completed at Sunnyside Primary school. During her University career, Natasha studied an LLB law degree and took Political Science and International relations as extra subjects. Natasha also studied music and opera and trained as a soprano at the Lorraine Haverman school of music.

References

Offices held