She was a member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance, serving in various capacities, including as Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.

[1] Smuts was born and raised in Bloemfontein, in the Free State, South Africa, and attended Oranje Meisieskool.

After high school, she continued her academic journey graduating from Stellenbosch University with a BA Hons degree.

[5] Her memoir, Patriots & Parasites: South Africa and the Struggle to Evade History was completed just days before her death.

At her public memorial at Parliament's Old Assembly chamber, Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane remembered her with these words: 'Dene said that every one of us needs to be accountable to our conscience, to our country, to our Constitution and to our constituency.