The final changes to the Western Cape cabinet, which were announced last month, have come into effect today.
As of today, David Maynier will assume the responsibilities of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in the Western Cape following the resignation of Debbie Schäfer last month.
The new MEC for Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, was also welcomed and sworn in.
Maynier has served as the provincial MEC for Finance and Economic Opportunities since 2019. Wenger has served in the Western Cape’s Provincial Parliament, as a DA’s Chief Whip as well as chairperson of a number of key committees, including the Parliamentary Oversight Committee and the COVID-19 Ad Hoc committee.
Touching on his new portfolio, Maynier said he has an immense respect for the principals, teachers, practitioners, and officials that make up the education sector. “They have achieved so much during a very difficult period, and I want to make sure that we improve on the strong foundation that they have built and take it forward,” he said.
He added that he will embark on a programme of listening and learning, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders in the education sector, both inside and outside the Western Cape Education Department with an aim to develop a set of priorities and to set a new direction to better prepare students for the world of work.
Wenger said in her first week, she will be meeting with the teams to develop the plan of action to drive growth and job creation in the Western Cape. “There can be no greater priority for our province right now, especially given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy and the livelihoods of many of our residents. We must claw back the jobs lost during this time, but more than this, it is my strong view that we need to aim even higher,” she said.
Since the announcement of changes to the provincial cabinet last mont, MEC Reagen Allen has already hit the ground running as the Western Cape’s new Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, and both Tertuis Simmers and Daylin Mitchell working to establish the new departments which the Premier announced in his State of the Province Address, as the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Provincial Minister of Mobility, respectively.
Premier Alan Winde, said these changes mark an important moment in the provincial government, as they are prepared to tackle the challenges that the province face. “We today again make clear our commitment to live our government’s values each and every day, by always being caring, competent, accountable and responsive, and by always acting with integrity,” he said.
“I would like to use this opportunity to again thank Debbie Schäfer for her immense contribution to the Western Cape, especially to our province’s children. We wish you all the best with your new opportunity abroad, and we know that you will be a great success in this endeavour,” he concluded.
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