Wendy Alexander (South African politician)

Wendy Alexander
MP
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 November 2022
Preceded byJacques Julius
ConstituencyGauteng
Personal details
Born
Wendy Robyn Alexander

(1979-06-25) 25 June 1979 (age 45)
Political partyDemocratic Alliance
Alma materUniversity of Pretoria
ProfessionPolitician

Wendy Robyn Alexander (born 25 June 1979)[1] is a South African politician who has been a Democratic Alliance Member of the National Assembly of South Africa since November 2022.

Education and career

Alexander has an honours degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Pretoria. She has also completed a course through the Wits School of Governance in Leadership in Local Government. Prior to becoming active in politics, Alexander had worked in the marketing and brand activation space for over a decade.[2]

Political career

Alexander became a member of the Democratic Alliance and stood as the DA's ward councillor candidate in ward 134 in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in 2016. The ward included parts of Northriding, Northgate, parts of Boskruin, Randpark Ridge and Sundowner. Alexander won and became the councillor for the ward. She was appointed deputy chairperson of the Johannesburg Regional Selection Panel and the chairperson of the Political Support Cluster of the DA's caucus in council. In 2018, Alexander was nominated to be the DA's candidate for Gauteng premier.[3] Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga was ultimately selected to be the party's premier candidate.

In April 2020, Alexander was appointed chief whip of the DA's caucus in the Johannesburg City Council.[2] In 2021, the DA's Devon Steenkamp was elected to succeed her as ward councillor for ward 134 as Alexander was re-elected to council through the DA's PR List.[4] Tyrell Meyers, also from the DA, replaced Alexander as the DA's caucus chief whip and also became the Chief Whip of the Council.[5] On 28 January 2022, Alexander was elected chairperson of the council's Section 79 committee on Transport.[6] She was removed as committee chairperson in October 2022.[7]

On 16 November 2022, Alexander became a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa for the DA.[8] She was appointed an Additional Member on the Standing Committee on Finance by DA leader John Steenhuisen on 21 April 2023.[9]

References

  1. ^ NPE2024 - National Candidates List as on 10 April 2024
  2. ^ a b Import, Pongrass (2020-04-01). "Wendy Alexander appointed DA Johannesburg Chief Whip". Randburg Sun. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  3. ^ Blignaut, Reuven (2018-07-04). "Ward 134 councillor seeks top provincial spot". Randburg Sun. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  4. ^ nicholaszaal (2021-11-02). "DA calls win in Ward 134". Randburg Sun. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  5. ^ Macupe, Bongekile. "ANC readies for new role in Joburg opposition benches". Citypress. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  6. ^ "Election of Section 79 Committee Chairpersons Signals Golden Start for Joburg Residents". www.polity.org.za. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  7. ^ Patrick, Alex. "DA swoops back into Joburg council, but ANC bags key positions on committees". News24. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  8. ^ @Siviwe_G (November 16, 2022). "The Speaker presided over the swearing in of our new MPs. It's pretty special sharing this moment with them as their Chief Whip. So easy to become jaded in politics. Seeing MPs take their oath of office with sincerity; reminded me why we do what we do - in service of others" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Shadow Cabinet: DA announces changes with a focus on Election 2024". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 2023-04-21.