ANC hero Marius Schoon’s son, Fritz, is a DA candidate for Joburg
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Fritz Schoon, the son of prominent anti-apartheid activists, is running as a Democratic Alliance candidate in Johannesburg. He explains his shift away from the ANC, citing a lack of accountability and disillusionment with the party's post-1994 trajectory.
Why it matters
The defection of a high-profile legacy family member highlights shifting political allegiances in South Africa and growing public frustration with the ANC's governance.
Fritz Schoon’s family fought for the ANC. He chose the DA. He tells us why.
18 Aug 2026 Illustrative image: The late ANC anti-apartheid activist Marius Schoon (background). (Photo: Tafi Mhaka / Archives) | Fritz Schoon, a Democratic Alliance ward candidate in Johannesburg. (Photo: DA) Dive Deeper Speed Read Summary Listen Dive Deeper The ANC hero Marius Schoon’s son, Fritz, is a DA candidate competing to win election in Johannesburg’s eastern Ward 64, which includes Yeoville, Berea, all of Bertrams and Judiths Paarl.
Fritz Schoon was born in Botswana and lived in many countries across Africa as his father helped build the ANC in exile. His mom Jeanette and sister Katryn died when a parcel bomb sent by apartheid intelligence operative Craig Williamson exploded in their kitchen in 1984. Marius and Fritz survived. Marius was travelling while young Fritz was three years old.
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