Under his leadership from 1.7% to 12.7%, the most dramatic phase of growth occurring within 4 years of his accession. This constitutes the largest increase of support for any political party in the modern history of South Africa.

He is a Vice-President of Liberal International, and has addressed international organizations and groupings of significant reach including the Council on Foreign Relations (Washington), the Royal Institute of International Affairs (London) and the Institute for Strategic Studies (London).

Tony Leon was one of the key negotiators of South Africa's Constitution, both at Kempton Park between the years 1992-1993 and again in the Constitutional Assembly of Parliament after the 1994 election where he served as Chairman of the Theme Committee on Human Rights.

Leon has been described as "The best orator in Parliament," while analyst Xolela Mangcu described him, as "probably the greatest political strategist of our time." Nelson Mandela described Tony Leon as "A leader whose dynamism and capacity for analysis keeps everyone of their toes." While President Thabo Mbeki in paying tribute to his leadership said of him, "I am certain we will miss his lively engagements as a party leader in the public debate...he has the bark of a bull terrier."

Leon is internationally published, having written for TIME magazine, The Spectator, and The Daily Telegraph. He has written the book "Hope & Fear: Reflections of a Democrat" (Jonathan Ball Publishers, 1998) and is currently working on a political memoir. Tony Leon also has a number of academic

publications to his credit, written during his tenure as a member of the Law Faculty of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

An attorney by profession, Tony Leon's twenty years in public life in South Africa has allowed him to be an inside participant in a period of profound change and national renewal.

Tony's Talks:

• South Africa Past Present Future

• True Leadership

 "Your contribution to democracy is enormous. You have far more support for all you have done than you might ever read about."
~ President Nelson Mandela (2007)

"A leader whose dynamism and capacity for analysis keeps everyone on their toes."
~ President Nelson Mandela (1998)

"I am certain that all of us will miss his lively engagement as a party leader in the public debate ... indeed he has the bark of a bull terrier!"
~ President Thabo Mbeki (15 February 2007)

"An eloquent patriot to the tips of his fingers."
~ Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP (28 Nov 2006)

"When the truth is finally written about his period at the helm, it will be clear that no one since Nelson Mandela has done more for our democracy than Tony Leon."
~ Helen Zille, Mayor of Cape Town & DA Leader (6 May 2007)

"A brilliant strategist ... the greatest of our time."
~ Xolela Mangcu: Intellectual Commentator (14 December 2006)

"Dignified, eloquent, reflective ... perhaps in the fullness of time we may come to appreciate Tony Leon's contribution to deepening democracy."
~ Professor Sipho Seepe, President, SA Institute of Race
Relations (19 February 2007)

 External links

* Democratic Alliance website
* Personal website
* Economist Book Review On The Contrary

  Professional Speaker / Motivational Speaker / Conference Speaker