Tersia Marshall
Tersia Marshall | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature | |
| In office 14 June 2024 – 16 July 2026 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 September 1980 |
| Died | 16 July 2026 (aged 45) Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa |
| Party | Democratic Alliance (2015–2026) |
| Profession | Politician, attorney |
Tersia Marshall (14 September 1980 – 16 July 2026) was a South African politician and attorney who represented the Democratic Alliance in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature from 2024 until her death. She had previously served as a councillor in the Mbombela Local Municipality.
Career
Marshall was a practising attorney.[1] In 2015, she joined the Democratic Alliance. She was elected as a ward councillor in the Mbombela Local Municipality in the 2016 municipal election.[2] In 2020, Marshall planned to establish her own legal practice, but the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown forced her to postpone those plans. During the early months of the pandemic, she distributed food to residents in her constituency. In July 2020, News24 described her as an "everyday hero" for her efforts.[1] Marshall was elected the party's provincial disciplinary chairperson at the party's provincial congress held in October 2020.[3] She stood down as a ward councillor at the 2021 local election and was instead elected back to council via the party list.[2][4]
After the Mbombela municipality's planned study tour to Kenya with the mayor and the municipal manager went ahead in May 2023, Marshall argued that "not one" of the feedback reports from past overseas study tours had "showed any benefit to the residents of the municipality."[5]
She was elected to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in the 2024 provincial election as the DA won six seats.[2][6] As the party's spokesperson on Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, she called on the Hawks to thoroughly investigate the alleged misuse of public funds at the provincial department after the agency launched a corruption probe in February 2025.[7]
In May 2026, Marshall alleged that generations of residents in Bushbuckridge continue to suffer under what she described as 'systemic neglect' while referring to unemployment, corruption and poor governance in the municipality.[8]
Personal life and death
Marshall was married to a farmer.[1]
On 15 July 2026, Marshall was involved in a car collision in Rustenburg in the North West Province. She was transferred to Ferncrest Hospital, where she died from her injuries the following day.[9] The DA paid tribute to Marshall, writing that "she will be remembered for her dedicated service and contribution to the people of Mpumalanga."[10]
References
- 1 2 3 "Everyday Hero | Tersia Marshall: Crusader saved many from hunger". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- 1 2 3 "DA in Mpumalanga assembles strong caucus for Seventh Provincial Legislature". Democratic Alliance - Mpumalanga. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "Mpumalanga DA Leaders Jane Sithole, Bosman Grobler re-elected unopposed". Democratic Alliance - Mpumalanga. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "LGE2021 Councillor Lists - 9 Nov 2021" (PDF). Electoral Commission of South Africa. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Harper, Paddy (2023-05-31). "Officials at cash-strapped Mbombela jet off to Kenya for 'study trip'". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ "New faces take the lead in Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature". Mpumalanga News. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "Hawks probe allegations of fraud in Mpumalanga Agriculture department - Highveld Chronicle". highveldchronicle.co.za. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ Dibakwane, Tumelo Waga (2026-05-27). "Bushbuckridge children 'trapped in cycle of poverty', says DA MPL". Lowvelder. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ Dibakwane, Tumelo Waga (2026-07-16). "Lowveld mourns death of DA MPL Tersia Marshall". Lowvelder. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ Democratic Alliance [@Our_DA] (16 July 2026). "The Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga mourns the passing of our Member of the Provincial Legislature, Tersia Marshall. She will be remembered for her dedicated service and contribution to the people of Mpumalanga. Our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
External links
- Ms Tersia Marshall at People's Assembly