Tony Leon

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The Honourable Tony Leon
Leon in 2021
Ambassador of South Africa to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay
In office September 2009 – October 2012
President	Jacob Zuma
Succeeded by	Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
15th Leader of the Opposition
In office June 1999 – 5 May 2007
Preceded by	Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Succeeded by	Sandra Botha
Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance
In office 24 June 2000 – 5 May 2007
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Helen Zille
Federal Leader of the Democratic Party
In office April 1994 – 24 June 2000
Preceded by	Zach de Beer
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
In office April 1994 – 2009
Member of the House of Assembly of South Africa (abolished in 1994)
In office September 1989 – April 1994
Constituency	Houghton
Personal details
Born	Anthony James Leon (1956-12-15) 15 December 1956 (age 67) Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa
Political party	Democratic Alliance (2000-present)
Other political affiliations	Democratic Party (1989-2000) Progressive Federal Party (1977-1989) Progressive Reform Party (1975-1977) Progressive Party (1974-1975)
Spouse(s)	Michal Leon (née Even-Zahav) (m. 2000)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Witwatersrand
Occupation	Politician diplomat businessman columnist activist
Profession	Lawyer

Anthony James Leon (born 15 December 1956) is a South African politician who served as leader of the opposition from 1999-2007 as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA). He led the DA from its inception in 2000, until his retirement from leadership in 2007. Before that, he led the Democratic Party from 1994. He is the longest-serving leader of the official opposition in parliament since the advent of democracy in 1994. Although still a member of the DA, he served as the South African Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay under the African National Congress government from 2009 to 2012.

Since 2012, Leon has been serving as Executive Chairman of Resolve Communications (Pty) Ltd - a South African-based advocacy for reputation management and strategic communications consultancy, and a consultant to various international companies. Leon is also a contracted columnist to Arena Holdings Ltd, with his columns appearing weekly or monthly in Business Day, Sunday Times, and BusinessLive. He is also the author of five books.