Alan Winde

Alan Winde is the Premier of the Western Cape province of South Africa, a position he has held since May 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party in South Africa and the governing party in the Western Cape. Winde's political career has focused on economic development, infrastructure investment and job creation, with particular emphasis on renewable energy, tourism and agriculture. Before becoming premier, he served as the Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities from 2014 to 2019, where he championed the province's green economy agenda and the development of special economic zones. His tenure has been marked by efforts to position the Western Cape as a hub for renewable energy projects, including green hydrogen and associated industries such as sustainable aviation fuels and ammonia production. Winde has advocated for greater provincial autonomy in energy policy and has supported independent power generation to address South Africa's electricity challenges. He holds a background in business and worked in the private sector before entering politics. Under his leadership, the provincial government has prioritised skills development, investment attraction and infrastructure expansion in key economic corridors such as Saldanha Bay. Winde's administration has sought to leverage the Western Cape's natural resources, including solar and wind potential, to drive the energy transition and create employment opportunities in emerging green industries.