Reagen Ivan Allen (born 25 May 1984) is a South African politician and former comedian who has been the Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament since June 2024. A member of the Democratic Alliance, he has represented the party in the Provincial Parliament since December 2018. He was the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight from April 2022 until June 2024.
Life and career Allen was born and grew up in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. He initially began his career as a comedian. He won the Cape Town Comedy Club's 2018 #yourfunnycider competition.Leitch, Marsha. Funny man crowned comedy club winner, Plainsman, 19 September 2018. Retrieved on 5 August 2019. and was nominated for a Comics Choice Award 2019.Nominees for the 2019 Savanna Comics Choice Awards, "Channel24", 10 July 2019. Retrieved on 13 March 2020.
Allen has obtained numerous qualifications in Public Relations and Paralegal Studies. He graduated from the DA's Young Leaders Programme in 2012. He studied at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Germany, while he served as the DA's Youth National Media and Publicity chairperson.Leitch, Marsha. Comedian takes up seat in provincial legislature, Plainsman, 29 May 2019. Retrieved on 5 August 2019.
In December 2018, he was sworn in as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. He filled the vacancy created by the resignation of Dan Plato. He was elected to a full term as a Member of the Provincial Parliament in the 2019 elections and became Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Community Safety, Cultural Affairs and Sports.Gerber, Jan. Former Bitou mayor to chair Western Cape's Scopa, News24, 4 June 2019. Retrieved on 5 August 2019.
On 22 April 2022, Allen was appointed by Alan Winde as the Provincial Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight. He was officially sworn in as Provincial Minister on 26 April 2022 by Judge Babalwa Mantame.
On 13 June 2024, Allen was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.
References
External links People's Assembly profile Hon Reagen Allen