Ian Cameron (activist)
{{Short description|South African civic activist and politician}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ian Cameron
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Kempton Park, South Africa
| nationality = South African
| occupation = Director of Community Safety, Activist
| known_for = Advocacy for victims of violent crime, criticism of police minister Bheki Cele
| education = Police Science, UNISA; Certificate in Local Government, University of Pretoria
| employer = Action Society (former)
| spouse =
| children =
}}
Ian Cameron is a South African politician from the Democratic Alliance who was elected to the Parliament of South Africa in the 2024 South African general election. He is also a civic activist and the former Director of Community Safety at Action Society, a non-profit organization focused on assisting victims of violent or hate crimes who cannot afford legal counsel.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-07-07-ian-cameron-who-exactly-is-bheki-celes-new-nemesis/ |title=Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele’s new nemesis? |author=Patrick, Alex |publisher=TimesLIVE |date=7 July 2022 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} Action Society was officially opened in 2021, primarily focusing on working for reform in the justice system, especially regarding gender-based violence.{{cite web |url=https://www.biznews.com/interviews/2023/08/15/evil-monsters-hunting-children-ian-cameron |title=Evil monsters are hunting our children – Ian Cameron |publisher=BizNews |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
Early life and education
Cameron was born in Kempton Park and moved to the UK with his family when he was six. He studied Police Science at UNISA and has completed courses at the North-West University, the New York Fire Department, the Montana Department of Forestry, and earned a certificate in Local Government through the University of Pretoria.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-07-07-ian-cameron-who-exactly-is-bheki-celes-new-nemesis/ |title=Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele’s new nemesis? |author=Alex Patrick |publisher=Times Live |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
Career
Prior to his role at Action Society, Cameron worked for AfriForum for 10 years, focusing on supporting victims of farm attacks.{{cite web |url=https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/profiele/hanlie-retief-gesels-met-ian-cameron-20200726 |title=Hanlie Retief gesels met Ian Cameron |author=Hanlie Retief |publisher=Rapport |date=26 July 2020 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} The organization advocates for less dependency on the government in combating crime.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-07-07-ian-cameron-who-exactly-is-bheki-celes-new-nemesis/ |title=Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele’s new nemesis? |author=Alex Patrick |publisher=Times Live |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
In 2023 Cameron criticised police minister Bheki Cele.{{cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2023-03-09-petition-calling-for-bheki-cele-to-be-axed-as-police-minister-gets-support/ |title=Petition calling for Bheki Cele to be axed as police minister gets support |author=Unathi Nkanjeni |publisher=BusinessDay |date=9 March 2023 |accessdate=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/lobby-group-to-lay-formal-complaint-against-cele-after-member-removed-from-public-meeting-on-crime-20220706 |title=Lobby group to lay formal complaint against Cele after member removed from public meeting on crime |author=Marvin Charles |publisher=News24 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} He gained attention after an incident where he was removed from a community policing engagement meeting by Cele in Gugulethu.{{cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/careers/meet-ian-cameron-the-man-who-wants-to-take-down-bheki-cele-e3500aef-a228-44e8-9516-9eb53a39c294 |title=Meet Ian Cameron, the man who wants to take down Bheki Cele |author=Mtumbu, Xolile |publisher=IOL |date=13 July 2022 |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
In the same month, Cameron and Action Society were part of public participation processes regarding proposed legislation.{{cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/from-watchdog-to-bouncer-action-society-says-bill-will-render-ipid-toothless-in-the-fight-against-misconduct-abuse-of-power-8d479654-c2a2-4f48-895c-f196f9e9a1cc |title=From watchdog to bouncer: Action Society says Bill will render Ipid toothless in the fight against misconduct, abuse of power |author=Rall, Se-Anne |publisher=IOL |date=8 September 2023 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} The organization has submitted comments on various amendment bills, including the Gender-Based Violence Amendment Bills,{{cite web |url=https://actionsociety.co.za/action-societys-submissions-on-the-gender-based-violence-amendment-bills/ |title=Action Society's Submissions on the Gender Based Violence Amendment Bills |publisher=Action Society |date=7 July 2021 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill,{{cite web |url=https://actionsociety.co.za/action-society-submission-co-bill/ |title=Action Society's Submissions on the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill [B25-2021] |publisher=Action Society |date=15 July 2022 |accessdate=30 September 2023}} and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill.{{cite web |url=https://actionsociety.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Submission-on-the-Independent-Police-Investigative-Directorate-Amendment-Bill-by-ACTION-SOCIETY.pdf |title=Action Society's Submissions on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023] |publisher=Action Society |date=29 September 2023 |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
In October 2023 Cameron was alleged to have made defamatory comments against several black professionals, including Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. Cameron accused them of corruption in response to a speaking engagement event poster shared on social media. Cameron subsequently apologized, clarifying that he was unaware of Professor Phakeng's specific inclusion in the poster and that his comments were directed at other individuals on the poster with a history of alleged corrupt activities.{{cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/action-society-leader-ian-cameron-forced-to-apologise-to-prof-phakeng-for-defamatory-comments-831b9fe2-c9b9-461d-8f50-d3cb1931b21d |title=Action Society leader Ian Cameron forced to apologise to Prof Phakeng for defamatory comments |publisher=IOL |date=11 October 2023 |accessdate=11 October 2023}}
Parliamentary Career
Following the 2024 general elections in South Africa, Cameron was elected a member of parliament for the Democratic Alliance. A 12-year-old video of Cameron wearing blackface resurfaced, sparking public outrage on social media.{{Cite news |last=Palm |first=Roscoe |date=21 June 2024 |title=Not Renaldo Gouws: Ian Cameron, DA MP’s racist past comes back to haunt him for blackface protest |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/not-renaldo-gouws-ian-cameron-da-mps-racist-past-comes-back-to-haunt-him-for-blackface-protest-c43b0899-7c57-4574-bbb3-93443cfcf103 |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=IOL}}{{Cite news |last=Booysen |first=Chevon |date=24 June 2024 |title=New DA MPs should be ‘kicked out’ of party for ‘bringing it into disrepute,’ – analyst |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/new-da-mps-should-be-kicked-out-of-party-for-bringing-it-into-disrepute-analyst-92a4d4e5-1eb2-42a7-bcc2-ee2d950c986d |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=Cape Times}}
On 10 July 2024, Cameron was appointed chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police.{{Cite news |last=Nkadimeng |first=Innocentia |date=11 July 2024 |title='We have a big task,' police minister Mchunu tells Ian Cameron as he takes on parliament chair role |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2024-07-11-we-have-a-big-task-police-minister-mchunu-tells-ian-cameron-as-he-takes-on-parliament-chair-role/ |work=TimesLIVE}}{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Orrin |title=DA MP Cameron elected to chair Parliament's committee on police |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/07/10/da-mp-cameron-elected-to-chair-parliaments-committee-on-police |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=EWN |language=en}}
Move to the Democratic Alliance
In March 2024, Ian Cameron transitioned from his role at Action Society to join the Democratic Alliance (DA) the with intentions of potentially securing a parliamentary seat. Cameron's move garnered attention within political circles and was reported in various media outlets, including the Cape Argus{{cite news |title=Ian Cameron heading to Parliament on DA ticket |newspaper=Cape Argus |date=5 March 2024 |author=Zolani Sinxo |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/ian-cameron-heading-to-parliament-on-da-ticket-54da89f2-7810-4c6d-abf6-991cf87bb089}} and IOL News.{{cite news |title=Ian Cameron leaves Action Society for Democratic Alliance |newspaper=IOL News |date=4 March 2024 |author=Se-Anne Rall |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/ian-cameron-leaves-action-society-for-democratic-alliance-783d82e9-451b-4ad9-8eff-3841d9ff2fc3}} Known for his advocacy against crime and his previous confrontations with Police Minister Bheki Cele, Cameron's decision to align with the DA signals a notable shift in his career trajectory.
Personal life
Cameron is married and is a father. He supports efforts aimed at reducing the rate of violent rapes and murders, especially against children, in South Africa.{{cite web |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-07-07-ian-cameron-who-exactly-is-bheki-celes-new-nemesis/ |title=Ian Cameron: Who exactly is Bheki Cele’s new nemesis? |author=Alex Patrick |publisher=Times Live |accessdate=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/profiele/hanlie-retief-gesels-met-ian-cameron-20200726 |title=Hanlie Retief gesels met Ian Cameron |author=Hanlie Retief |publisher=Rapport |date=26 July 2020 |accessdate=30 September 2023}}
References
External links
- [https://actionsociety.co.za/ Action Society]
{{Current MPs of South Africa}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Cameron, Ian}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029