At just 23 years old, Liam Chad Jacobs is fast becoming a household name in South African politics – and not for the reasons one might expect from a first-time parliamentarian, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament has risen to prominence by doing what many South Africans have long demanded from their leaders: asking tough questions and refusing to let evasive answers slide.
Born on 3 March 2001, in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Jacobs’ rapid political ascent is backed by academic grit. He holds an Honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pretoria.
His political career officially began when he was elected leader of the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) in October 2022. By 2024, he was elected to the National Assembly, representing Gauteng – a province far removed from his hometown but now central to his mission to clean up public service.
Jacobs currently serves on the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture. And it’s from this platform that he has launched a one-man mission against corruption, exposing questionable financial dealings in state-funded organisations.
In recent weeks, clips of Jacobs’ interventions during committee meetings have gone viral across TikTok and Facebook. In one notable instance, he grilled officials from Netball South Africa, exposing over R2 million in consulting fees and an additional R119 000 spent on a social media influencer – expenses that Netball SA executives struggled to explain under scrutiny. The CEO of the organisation, in particular, found herself cornered by Jacobs’ calm but direct line of questioning.
@liamjacobs.za Good morning South Africa!! ?????? You’ve asked for it so here it is. The full 8 minutes of my questioning towards the executive of Netball South Africa. I asked them about R119 THOUSAND on a social media influencer and over R2 MILLION on consulting fees. Here’s what they had to say. #politics #parliament #southafricanpolitics #netball ♬ original sound – Liam Jacobs MP
Not stopping there, Jacobs also turned his attention to Boxing South Africa. During a recent committee session, he challenged the organisation’s leadership over an eye-watering R5.5 million spent on travel in just one financial year. This figure covered costs for 17 staff members and seven board members – spending that Jacobs questioned as wasteful and grossly excessive. Once again, officials struggled to provide clear answers, sparking further outrage among the public.
South Africans on social media have responded with applause and anger. Applause for Jacobs’ poise and purpose, anger at the state of mismanagement in departments that should be uplifting communities. Many have expressed that the country’s culture of impunity might finally be meeting its match – not through courtroom dramas or commissions of inquiry, but in the humble committee rooms of Parliament, led by a 23-year-old who isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers.
The portfolio committees in Parliament are meant to ensure that government departments are functioning efficiently and honestly — a mandate that Jacobs takes seriously. He’s not only asking questions behind closed doors but also using social media to share what’s happening in these sessions with the public. His exposés have sparked national conversations and called renewed attention to the need for accountability in government spending.
Outside of politics, Jacobs defies the stereotype of a suit-bound bureaucrat. He’s also a content creator, bringing a level of relatability and charisma that many say has been missing from Parliament. His online presence is both informative and engaging, using humour and clarity to break down complex issues for everyday South Africans.
@liamjacobs.za How could anyone support this?? #politics #parliament #southafricanpolitics ♬ original sound – Liam Jacobs MP
Many believe Jacobs represents a generational shift in politics – a no-nonsense approach to oversight that younger voters are increasingly drawn to. While the revelations he’s brought forward have caused discomfort among certain public officials, they’ve also ignited hope in a political system where such hope has been scarce.
In a country plagued by corruption scandals and broken promises, Liam Jacobs is proving that age is no barrier to courage – and that sometimes, the most refreshing voices in Parliament come from those still early in their careers. For now, South Africans will be watching closely – not just at the answers he demands but at the accountability that follows.
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Picture: OJ Koloti / Gallo Images
