Ashley Sauls is a South African politician who represents the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in the National Assembly. Parliament lists him as Mr Ashley !Qhoeke Sauls, elected from the party’s national list. His public career includes church ministry, Johannesburg municipal politics and a term as executive mayor of Beaufort West.
Last reviewed: 2 November 2026. Current parliamentary roles were checked against his official Parliament profile.
Ashley Sauls at a glance
| Public name | Ashley !Qhoeke Sauls |
|---|---|
| Political party | Patriotic Alliance |
| Current office | Member of the National Assembly, national list |
| Earlier municipal roles | Johannesburg mayoral committee member; Beaufort West executive mayor in 2023 |
| Other public work | Pastor and community activist; also known for the comedy persona Oom Biza |
Background and work before national politics
A June 2019 Soweto Urban interview identified Sauls as a Kliptown-born pastor at Ignite Family Church, known locally as “The Bible Coach”. He told the publication that he had begun preaching at 14. The report described his involvement in community prayer walks in the Greater Eldorado Park area.
In a 4 July 2025 parliamentary speech, Sauls said he was born in Kliptown and raised in Klipspruit and Eldorado Park. During that debate, he advocated support for community media and indigenous languages.
He also had a public profile as Oom Biza. In a February 2023 Sunday World interview, he discussed moving away from comedy as he took up mayoral responsibilities.
Johannesburg municipal career
The City of Johannesburg’s 2021/22 Citizens’ Report records Sauls as the mayoral committee member for Health and Social Development from 23 February 2022. This was a municipal executive portfolio, distinct from his later role as a national legislator.
He was subsequently appointed to the Transport portfolio in Dada Morero’s October 2022 administration. The city’s 10 October 2022 announcement lists him among the newly sworn-in mayoral committee members.
Beaufort West mayoral term in 2023
Official council minutes record Sauls’s election as Beaufort West executive mayor on 13 February 2023. He received seven votes, against five for JJ van der Linde.
In his Sunday World interview after the election, Sauls identified water shortages, energy supply and employment as priorities. These were proposals and commitments at the start of his term; they should not be presented as proof that the projects were completed.
His mayoral term ended later that year. A Cape Times report dated 5 September 2023 reported his resignation and the PA’s announcement of Ebenezer Botha as his replacement.
National Assembly career and committees
Sauls entered the National Assembly in 2024. Parliament’s membership list dated 25 June 2024 records Ashley Sauls as a PA member on the national list.
As checked on 2 November 2026, his official Parliament profile lists membership of:
- The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.
- The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Education and age: what is verified?
The sources reviewed for this biography did not establish a verified birth year or a documented list of academic qualifications. His pastoral and political experience should not be presented as evidence of a particular degree or professional credential.
Editorial note: This profile focuses on documented public roles. Dates and source links are included so readers can distinguish past municipal appointments from current parliamentary work.
