Mireille Wenger
Mireille Wenger | |
|---|---|
| Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness | |
| Assumed office 13 June 2024 | |
| Premier | Alan Winde |
| Preceded by | Nomafrench Mbombo |
| Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities | |
| In office 16 May 2022 – 13 June 2024 | |
| Premier | Alan Winde |
| Preceded by | David Maynier |
| Succeeded by | Deidré Baartman |
| Chief Whip of the Majority Party | |
| In office 22 May 2019 – 16 May 2022 | |
| Premier | Alan Winde |
| Preceded by | Mark Wiley |
| Succeeded by | Lorraine Botha |
| Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mireille Mary Wenger 1980 or 1981 (age 43–44) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance |
| Spouse | Craig Kesson |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town (MPhil) Stellenbosch University (MA) |
| Profession | Politician |
Mireille Mary Wenger (born 1980 or 1981) is a South African politician who has served as the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness since 2024. A member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), she has been a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament since May 2014. She previously served as the DA's Chief Whip from 2019 to 2022 and Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities from 2022 to 2024.
Qualifications
Wenger holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from Stellenbosch University and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of Cape Town.[1] She obtained a diploma in Political Science and Sociology from Sciences Po in France.[2]
Political career
In 2014, she was elected to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament as a member of the Democratic Alliance. She took office as an MPP on 21 May 2014. Wenger was elected chairperson of the community safety committee.[2]
After her re-election in 2019, she was appointed the chief whip of the DA caucus and consequently Chief Whip of the Majority Party. She assumed office on 22 May 2019.[2] On 17 April 2022, Wenger was elected as the Chairperson of the Provincial Parliament's Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19.[3]
On 22 April 2022, Premier Alan Winde announced that Wenger would be joining the provincial cabinet on 16 May 2022 as the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities as the incumbent Provincial Minister David Maynier would be moving to the Education portfolio to replace Debbie Schäfer, who announced her departure from the provincial government.[4] The Provincial Parliament's Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 disbanded on 10 May 2022.[5] DA member Lorraine Botha replaced Wenger as Chief Whip of the Majority Party.[6] Wenger was sworn into office on 16 May 2022.[7]
Wenger was re-elected to the provincial parliament in the 2024 provincial election, which were won by the DA. After the election Wenger remained in cabinet, taking a new role as Minister of Health and Wellness.[8]
Personal life
Wenger is married to Craig Kesson. They have one child.[9]
References
- ^ Nel, Brandon. "New finance MEC Mireille Wenger hit the ground running". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Gerber, Jan (4 June 2019). "Former Bitou mayor to chair Western Cape's Scopa". News24. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Election of Chairperson and Committee business | PMG". pmg.org.za. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Payne, Suné (22 April 2022). "PROVINCIAL SHAKE-UP: Alan Winde makes sweeping changes to his Western Cape cabinet – with two new faces". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ Githahu, Mwangi. "Western Cape legislature's Covid-19 ad hoc committee disbands after two years". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Lorraine Botha appointed new DA Chief Whip in WC legislature". www.polity.org.za. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "MEC Mireille Wenger sworn in as the new MEC for Finance and Economic Opportunities | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Premier Winde announces his new Cabinet". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Githahu, Mwangi (23 May 2019). "New WC premier Alan Winde promises 'inclusive leadership'". IOL. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
External links
- Ms Mireille Mary Wenger at People's Assembly
