Kopane was born in Bloemfontein but spent most of her childhood in the small village of Dithutaneng in Qwaqwa. Before entering politics, she worked as a professional nurse. She had also worked for the Cancer Association of South Africa.
Political career
Kopane became a member of the Democratic Alliance in 2003. She initially began her political career as a consultant in the Free State Provincial Legislature and went on to coordinate the Provincial Lead Programme from 2004 to 2006. She was elected to the Mangaung Municipality in 2006 and served as a councillor until her election the National Assembly in 2009. Having entered Parliament, Kopane became a member of the Democratic Alliance's Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister of Social Development. She took office as Shadow Minister of Health in February 2012. In September 2012, Kopane became the new Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance following the party's provincial conference in Bloemfontein. After the 2014 elections, newly-appointed DA Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane kept her in the Shadow Cabinet and returned her to the post of Shadow Minister of Social Development. In April 2015, Kopane won re-election to a second term as Provincial Leader. In October 2015, she moved to the Public Works portfolio of the Shadow Cabinet. She later returned to the position of Shadow Minister of Health in June 2017. She won another term as Provincial Leader of the party in October 2017. She is a parliamentary whip and a member of the Coalitions Committee, Federal Executive, Federal Council and Federal Legal Commission. On 11 September 2018, Democratic Alliance National Leader Mmusi Maimane announced Kopane as the party's Free State Premier candidate. Maimane said that Kopane is one of the party's "most humble leaders and a loyal servant of the people". Following the May 2019 election, the Democratic Alliance increased its support in the Free State. The party gained one seat in the provincial legislature, going from five to six seats. On 5 June 2019, she was named Shadow Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure.
Personal life
Kopane was married to Mojalefa Kopane, a high school teacher from Bloemfontein, until his death in February 2019. Kopane's father, James Letuka, is also a DA public representative. He serves as a Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature.
