Winde announces Western Cape cabinet

ELECTION NEWS - Western Cape premier Alan Winde announced his cabinet team on Wednesday 23 May. They were sworn in by Judge President John Hlophe.

“These ministers have all agreed and support my decision to undergo a lifestyle audit as part of my pledge to build on our good governance track record by setting a new standard for anti-corruption,” Winde said in a statement.

“We have done this because we believe that as public representatives, we must uphold the highest standards of integrity in the execution of our offices. These audits will be performed now, and again at the end of the term.

“I have also taken the decision to work toward the reduction of departments in the Western Cape. These changes will be effected in the months to come, following a process of review which will include ministers and officials, to ensure that we are able to do more for our residents with the public funds entrusted to us. South Africa is in a precarious financial position, where the government has come to spend more on staff than on service delivery. This situation is untenable. We can and we must be more efficient, putting more of your money back into your communities. This reduced government will be revealed in the coming months.”

According to him, he put this cabinet together in order to achieve stability through experience, and new capability. “These new members join our Cabinet with vast experience due to their prior roles.”

Minister of Transport and Public Works: Bonginkosi Madikizela
Minister of Community Safety: Albert Fritz
Minister of Health: Nomafrench Mbombo
Minister of Education: Debbie Schäfer
Minister of Agriculture: Ivan Meyer
Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Anton Bredell
Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport: Anroux Marais
Minister of Social Development: Sharna Fernandez
Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities: David Maynier
Minister of Human Settlements: Tertuis Simmers

He wished them well in their new roles and said he looked forward to working with them as a team, stating that their first order of business will be to proactively look into the severe red tape challenges facing the private sector which are impeding their ability to provide opportunities for new jobs.

Donald Grant will serve as an advisor in his office with the mandate to execute our public transport pledge.

A further programme that will be run from the Premier’s Office includes a direct and concerted effort to drive innovation and culture change within the organisation. “My goal is to ensure that the Western Cape Government becomes known and sought after as a great place to work so that we can attract the right skills to deliver better services for our people. It is my belief that if we treat our staff right, they will treat our citizens right. To ensure that we are an open and accessible administration, we will launch First Thursdays across government, providing an opportunity for the public to engage with our Ministers and departmental teams directly.”

He said they will be working hard to achieve better coordination between the National, Provincial and Local spheres of government. “In my time as a minister, it became clear to me that a key focus in improving efficiency is to maximise our ability to work together. In this respect, I hope to drive better and more practical implementation of programmes across the three spheres through improved intergovernmental relations.”

He also announced new acting-Director General, Harry Malila from the Provincial Treasury. “He brings with him vast experience in the budget and policy environment. I am confident that he will take our province to new service delivery levels.”

Western Cape Cabinet announced on 23 May 2019.