Winde is taking over the premiership of the Western Cape from Helen Zille. He’s had a stint as the MEC for Community Safety after Dan Plato left the post to become Cape Town Mayor following Patricia de Lille’s resignation.
Winde beat Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela, and the party’s Member of Parliament (MP) David Maynier, to the post. While some South Africans blasted the party for choosing Winde over Madikizela – saying it had missed an opportunity at transformation – the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the appointment. It’s hailed Winde for his ability to stay clear of political mudslinging and focus on creating jobs and growing the provincial economy.
He’s served in the Zille cabinet for two terms – working as the Western Cape MEC of finance, economic development, agriculture development and tourism.
DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, has referred to Winde as the next jobs premier of South Africa, crediting him with having cut down provincial unemployment to 14% below the national joblessness rate. The premier candidate has also served as the DA’s spokesperson on environment and planning.
Watch Winde’s interview after he was announced as the next DA provincial government leader:
