Lindy Wilson Explained

Lindy Wilson
Honorific-Suffix:MPL
Office:Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
Term Start:4 August 2023
Predecessor:Désirée van der Walt
Office1:Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance in Limpopo
1Blankname1:Federal Leader
1Namedata1:John Steenhuisen
Deputy1:Marie Helm
Term Start1:27 May 2023
Predecessor1:Jacques Smalle
Office2:Shadow Deputy Minister of Health
Leader2:John Steenhuisen
Mmusi Maimane
Term Start2:5 June 2019
Term End2:31 July 2023
Predecessor2:Lungiswa James[1]
Office3:Shadow Deputy Minister of Social Development
Leader3:Mmusi Maimane
Term Start3:5 June 2014
Term End3:5 June 2019
Predecessor3:Emmah More
Successor3:Thandi Mpambo-Sibhukwana
Office4:Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Term Start4:21 May 2014
Term End4:31 July 2023
Nationality:South African
Party:Democratic Alliance (2010–present)
Spouse:Brian
Children:5
Residence:Polokwane

Evelyn "Lindy" Wilson is a South African politician who has served as the provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance in Limpopo since 2023. A former councillor for ward 20 in the Polokwane Local Municipality, Wilson was elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in 2014. She was then appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Social Development. After the 2019 election, she became the Shadow Deputy Minister of Health. Wilson was sworn in as a member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in August 2023.

Career

Wilson worked as an advertising manager at Northern Media Group before she started a catering and events management business and an advertising and marketing venture.[2] She also served as the chairperson of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) in Limpopo.[3]

Political career

In 2010, Wilson became the operations manager for the Democratic Alliance in the Mopani District.[4] She stood as the DA candidate in a by-election in ward 20 in the Polokwane Local Municipality in February 2012 and won the seat off the African National Congress.[5] Later that same year, she was elected provincial chairperson of the DA.[4]

Parliamentary career

Wilson was selected to be the DA's provincial campaign manager for the 2014 general elections, which saw the party win over 95,000 votes in the province and three seats in the provincial legislature.[4] She was elected to a DA seat in the National Assembly in the election.[2] Having entered parliament, she was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Deputy Minister of Social Development.[6]

At the DA's provincial conference held in 2017, Wilson was elected one of two deputy provincial chairpersons of the party.[7] The following year, she was appointed head of the DA's Waterberg South constituency.[4]

Wilson was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 2019 general election. Thereafter, she was appointed Shadow Deputy Minister of Health.[8]

In April 2021, DA provincial leader Jacques Smalle was accused of turning a blind eye to allegations of Wilson abusing party funds. Wilson responded to the accusations by saying that it has been investigated and no charges were laid against her by the party.[9]

Wilson successfully contested the position of provincial leader at the DA's provincial conference held on 27 May 2023, defeating the four other candidates for the position.[10] She replaced Smalle, who, in turn, was elected provincial chairperson.[11] [12]

On 4 August 2023, Wilson was sworn in as a member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature.[13]

Personal life

Wilson is married to Brian. They have five children together.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Changes to DA Shadow Cabinet . 2023-07-17 . Democratic Alliance . en.
  2. Web site: Erasmus . Nielie . 2014-07-01 . Lindy Wilson now member of parliament . 2023-07-17 . Review . en-US.
  3. Web site: Sekhwela . Koketso. 2023-06-02 . Lindy Wilson elected as the provincial leader for the DA in Limpopo . 2023-07-17 . Review . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2018-05-31 . New constituency head for Waterberg South . 2023-07-17 . Die Pos . en-US.
  5. Web site: Results of the municipal by-elections South African Government . 2023-07-17 . www.gov.za.
  6. Web site: The DA's shadow cabinet - Mmusi Maimane - POLITICS Politicsweb . 2023-07-17 . www.politicsweb.co.za . en.
  7. Web site: raeesakimmie . 2017-10-21 . BREAKING NEWS: Jacques Smalle re-elected as DA Provincial Leader . 2023-07-17 . Review . en-US.
  8. Web site: Gerber . Jan . Here's the DA's 'shadow cabinet' . 2023-07-17 . News24 . en-US.
  9. News: Sadike . Mashudu . 6 April 2021 . More woes for embattled DA Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle . Independent Online . 17 July 2023.
  10. Web site: Khumalo . Juniour . Five candidates put their hands up for Limpopo DA leader position as party holds elective congress . 2023-07-17 . News24 . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2023-05-28 . ANC should not be underestimated for 2024 elections: Steenhuisen . 2023-07-17 . SABC News . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2023-06-06 . DA-party elects new provincial leaders . 2023-07-17 . Die Pos . en-US.
  13. 1687402439496851456. dalimlegis. The swearing-in ceremony of the new member of the DA in the Provincial Legislature; Hon. Evelyn Rayne Wilson. Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Hon. Rosemary Molapo presided over the swearing in ceremony.. 4 August 2023. 29 August 2023.