In 1998, Terblanche's father crossed the floor to the Democratic Party and she joined politics as an activist. She took part in the 1999 campaign, then won a by-election on the platform of the DP with 76% of the vote. By 2001, Terblanche was a Potchefstroom City Councillor alongside her father. She also held office as caucus chair. In 2004, she was elected a member of the National Council of Provinces, where she was best known for passing a 2004 motion censuring Thabo Mbeki for his attitude to rape. Later that year, Terblanche was elected as Whip in the NCOP and went on to serve a full term. She then became the representative for the constituency of Ventersdorp/Tlokwe. From 2005 to 2006, she served as the first female Counsellor to the Leader of the Opposition, succeeding fellow MP Gareth Morgan. In 2009, she was the DA Home Affairs Spokesperson and again served as Whip. In 2011, she was the Democratic Alliance's candidate for mayor of Potchefstroom. She was also the constituency leader for Tlokwe when the DA briefly took control of the municipality in 2013. In June 2014, Terblanche was named as Deputy Spokesperson in the Science and Technology portfolio. In 2014, charges were laid against Deputy Minister for Higher EducationMduduzi Manana for, among other things, "manhandling" Terblanche in a brawl in parliament. In October 2015, Terblanche was expelled from the Democratic Alliance for misusing funds, along with Dianne Kohler Barnard, who was fired for a racist Facebook post. The ANC called it a "public relations stunt." Terblanche said the misconduct inquiry was "erroneous, misleading and defamatory" and said she would appeal tothe High Court. She was later reinstated. She ultimately left parliament in 2017.
Honours
Over the course of her career in politics, Terblanche was named as one of "the 200 young people that you should take to lunch" by the Mail and Guardian. She also received the Sunday Times award for "Upstart of the Year" and was further named as one of "the 100 young people that will make a difference in the next 10 years", again by the Mail and Guardian.
Illness
In April of 2010, Terblanche was diagnosed with acoustic neuroma. She subsequently had the first of three corrective surgeries on July the 13th of that year. After the three procedures were completed, some of the tumor remained due to both the nature of Terblanche's case in particular and the damage sustained during the final surgery. She is currently continuing treatment.
Personal life
Terblanche is married to the lepidopterist Reinier Terblanche. They have three children together, two sons and a daughter.
