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Mr Koos van der Merwe MP, celebrates his 35th birthday as an Member of  
Parliament, tomorrow, Friday 30 November 2012.

Van der Merwe was first elected to Parliament on 30 November 1977,  
under Prime Minister John Vorster, and is the longest-serving MP in  
South Africa. He has served under seven Heads of State, is the  
longest-serving Parliamentary Whip and the longest-serving member on  
the Judicial Service Commission.

Replying to a question on what he intends to do on this historic day,  
Koos said he has invited a number of former MPs and ministers to lunch  
in Pretoria - such as Pik Botha, Stoffel van der Merwe and Ferdi  
Hartzenberg. Mr FW de Klerk has sent his best wishes, being unable to  
attend himself. So did many other former colleagues.

Van der Merwe spoke in Parliament last Thursday pointing out that 16  
MPs were born after he had first been elected as an MP. He also added  
that MPs should be disciplined and attend all meetings, be on time and  
fully prepared.

Van der Merwe has been the Chief Whip of the IFP since 1994, and has  
served in numerous Parliamentary Committees. He has been a member of  
numerous Parliamentary delegations visiting overseas countries such as  
China, Russia, Cuba, New Zealand, Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina,  
Brazil, Ireland, Rome, Burundi, Sudan, European Union, Jakarta,  
Philippines, Switzerland. He is a keen traveller and has been abroad  
more than a hundred times.

Van der Merwe is a lawyer by profession and is finalizing a PhD in  
political science. He has studied French at the Sorbonne and also  
speaks some Portuguese. He is first South African MP who spoke in  
French in Parliament when he conveyed words of thanks to President  
Sarkozy of France. He has also made a speech in Sotho in Parliament.

Van der Merwe, or just "Koos" as he is affectionately known, says he  
is ready for the next 35 years!