Litnet

Tony Leon is the Executive Chairman of Resolve Communications (Pty) Ltd, a South African consultancy specialising in crisis communications, reputation management, government relations and advocacy. He also writes, speaks and consults on current affairs and future prospects, based on his background as the longest serving leader of the opposition in the parliament of South Africa since the advent of democracy, as well his experience as former ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (appointed by President Jacob Zuma).

Leon served 20 years in parliament (having won Helen Suzman’s seat when she retired), and led the Democratic Party, which he grew from 1,8 percent to become the official opposition in 1999. He founded the Democratic Alliance in 2000, gaining control of the Western Cape Province and of the City of Cape Town.

After retiring from party leadership Leon, a trained lawyer and former law lecturer, was invited as a Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and to the Cato Institute in Washington, DC. He writes an acclaimed column in Business Day, has authored five books, and is invited to speak to different audiences both in South Africa and abroad.