By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance’s Alan Winde was re-elected as the Western Cape Premier at a sitting of the provincial legislature on Thursday.
Winde and 42 members of the provincial legislature were sworn in by the Western Cape Acting Judge President Patricia Goliath.
DA MPL Tertuis Simers nominated Winde as the premier, while ANC MPL Rachel Windvogel nominated Khalid Sayed.
After a secret ballot, Winde received 26 votes and Sayed received 14.
Following his election, Winde said his priority would be economic growth and job creation.
“It is a privilege, but it also an honour, to be able to take this position into this next term on behalf of the citizens of this province. Every one of us in this house represents the will of the citizens of this province. We have all sworn an oath to uphold our constitution to do the best that we can.”
“As we move beyond the 30 years of democracy into the next 30 years, our country is changing, and the demands are there, and we see the issues that our citizens face. It is up to every one of us to make sure that we do the best we can for our citizens who voted for us.”
The premier said that he saw much residents were struggling when he crisscrossed the province while on the campaign trail.
“I saw how many of our residents are struggling and the responsibility that we as government have, to step in and provide that critical social safety net for each of them. I owe it to you our residents to work even harder as I lead this government once more,” he said.
DA MPL Daylin Mitchell was re-elected as the speaker of the provincial legislature.
The DA put Mitchell forward as the party’s preferred candidate and the ANC nominated MPL Ayanda Bans.
Mitchell received 26 of votes and Bans received 12.
There were three spoil ballots and one member did not vote because he was outside of the chamber.
One of the biggest changes in Winde’s new cabinet is the appointment of Deidré Baartman as finance MEC. She was previously the DA’s deputy chief whip in the legislature and committee chair of education.
Tertuis Simmers has been retained as MEC for infrastructure and was appointed as the new leader of government business.
Anton Bredell remains MEC for local government, environmental affairs and development planning, while David Maynier has retained the position of MEC for education.
In a surprise change, the long-standing MEC for health and wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, was replaced with Mireille Wenger.
Other changes include Ricardo Mackenzie as the new MEC for cultural affairs and sport. He replaced Anroux Marais, who is now MEC for police oversight and community safety. Marias replaced Reagan Allen, the legislature’s new deputy speaker
GOOD general secretary Brett Herron was also sworn in as member of Western Cape legislature.
Herron said it was an honour to be re-elected and that the GOOD party was looking forward to serving as constructive opposition in the Western Cape.
“With that privilege comes a great responsibility to work towards a society and a province that radically reduces inequality and suffering,” Herron said.