Wendy Felicia Philander
Wendy Felicia Philander now serves as the Chairperson of the Health Standing Committee in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament for the Democratic Alliance in South Africa.
Wendy’s desire to serve is linked to changing the political landscape for women. Women constitute 56% of the population in her provinces, yet this is not represented in leadership. She believes that there is no better time than now to shift the landscape and empower women to take their seats.
Wendy is a graduate of the Democratic Alliance Political Development Programme as well as the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy Women in Politics Programme. These programs introduced Wendy to a whole new world and developed her into a strong leader. Wendy is the youngest of three daughters and comes from a low-income home. She sees herself as an example of what can be accomplished; no one’s birth circumstances determine their future.
Wendy believes that all communities deserve bold and progressive leadership, and she strongly agrees with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern when she says, “Everything I’ve ever thought about doing has been, in some sense, about helping people.” A straightforward principle of change
Our mission and vision
The network’s mission is to support and empower political parties, organisations, networks, think tanks and individuals, to grow their support, to increase their influence on politics and implement policies of good governance when in government.
In partnership with our members and strategic partners, the network advocates for values of freedom and the individual choice of association across the continent by:
• Championing Liberal policy solutions to Africa’s challenges;
• Capacitating Liberal Democratic member parties with innovative skills, necessary to win elections and lead governments;
Providing a platform for like-minded advocates of good governance, to network and share experience, skills and ideas;
All members of the network are bound by statutory obligations affirming allegiance to ensure the freedoms and dignity of all people, through establishing political and civil rights, upholding the rule of law, supporting democratic governance based on free and fair elections with peaceful transition, ensuring religious, gender and minority rights, fighting corruption and supporting economic freedom, regional integration and free trade opportunities, like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
We are proudly associated with the following partners
