Cape Town - Premier Alan Winde has appointed the replacement of former Transport and Public Works MEC, Bonginkosi Madikizela.
Daylin Mitchell, 35 years old, will become the youngest member of Premier Winde’s cabinet, and the first to come from Beaufort West in the Central Karoo District during this term.
His appointment comes after Bonginkosi Madikizela resigned as the DA’s Western Cape leader and MEC amid the furore over his qualifications on his CV.
Mitchell is currently the deputy chief whip of the majority party in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and is also the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works, and the Conduct Committee for Members of Parliament.
“I know Daylin to be a hard-working representative who is committed to making the Western Cape a better place for all who live in it, and I am confident that he will continue to serve the people of this province with distinction in this important position,” Winde said.
“As the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works, he is already familiar with the challenges and opportunities that exist in this portfolio, and I expect him to hit the ground running.”
Winde added that he thinks its time for Beaufort West to be represented in this provincial government’s cabinet, and he wants the MEC to ensure that that the voices of residents from smaller towns are always heard.
Premier Winde continued: “A high percentage of our residents are under the age of 40, and so appointing a young representative to the executive was important to me.
“There is enormous talent and energy among our youth, and their voices also need to be heard, especially when important executive decisions are being made. I am certain that Daylin will contribute to the diversity of my cabinet in this way,” he said.
“The Transport and Public Works portfolio is critical for our government’s plans to create jobs, deliver safer communities and realise the dignity and well-being that every person is entitled to,” Winde added.
“We need safe, reliable, and affordable transport options for our people, and we need to leverage our infrastructure to stimulate growth and create the jobs needed to ensure the Western Cape bounces back from Covid-19.”
Mitchell said that it is an honour for him to to serve the people of the Western Cape in Premier Winde’s cabinet.
“I look forward to working hard to ensure a safe, reliable and functional integrated passenger commuter transport system in our province.
“It is my goal to ensure that the Department of Transport and Public Works plays an important role in delivering the strategic objectives of this provincial administration, namely, creating a safe province, where residents have jobs and live with dignity,” Mitchell said.
Winde concluded: “I wish Daylin all the best in this new position and I look forward to working with him. I ask that he serves with integrity and humility, that he always upholds the Constitution of the Republic, and that he never forgets that it is the people of this province that we were elected to serve.”