Tertuis Simmers

Tertuis Simmers holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management. He has been active in politics for more than 20 years and served in various leadership positions in the Democratic Alliance.  He was elected as the Provincial Leader for the DA in the Western Cape in November 2023. He served as an interim leader between May 2022 and November 2023.

In June 2024, he was reappointed as the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure for the 7th administration.

This follows his appointment in 2019, by Premier Winde as the Provincial Minister for Human Settlements.  Having diligently executed his duties, in 2022, his portfolio was expanded to include Roads and Public Works.  In which he served as the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure.

Before joining the Provincial Cabinet, Minister Simmers diligently served as a Member of the Provincial Legislature for more than 20 months. During his tenure as a Member of the Legislature, he served as the Chairperson of Environmental Affairs and the Chairperson of Agriculture, Economic Opportunities, and Tourism.  Additionally, he has also served as an ordinary member of the Standing Committees of Human Settlements, Local Government, Conduct Committee, and Budget & Finance.

Between 2011 and 2017 and before becoming a Member of the Provincial Legislature, he served as a Mayoral Committee Member (MAYCO), for Corporate Services, Roads, and Asset Management, including being the Speaker of the Garden Route District Municipality.  

In his leisure time, Minister Simmers enjoys reading, and playing golf, and is an avid chess player.