On April 12, 2026, the Democratic Alliance (DA) held its leadership election at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. This event marked a significant moment for the party as it sought to establish new leadership ahead of upcoming elections.
Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected as the new federal leader of the DA, taking over the role with a vision to expand the party’s influence. At 39 years old, Hill-Lewis emphasized the importance of growth in communities that have not traditionally supported the DA.
In addition to Hill-Lewis, Solly Msimanga was elected as the federal chairperson of the DA. Msimanga, aged 45, will play a crucial role in guiding the party’s strategies moving forward.
Ashor Sarupen succeeded Helen Zille as chairperson of the federal council, marking a new chapter in the party’s leadership structure. Sarupen, who is 37 years old, will be instrumental in shaping the council’s direction.
The DA also elected Siviwe Gwarube, Cilliers Brink, and Solly Malatsi as deputy federal chairpersons. Gwarube, at 36, highlighted the need for the party to reach out to new voters, stating, “If we want to be the largest party in 2029, we’ve got to grow the DA in communities who have never considered voting for the DA before.”
Following the leadership election, the DA announced that it would open the nominations process for parliamentary leadership on April 17, 2026. This is a critical step as the party prepares for the upcoming caucus meeting.
An election for the new parliamentary leader is expected to take place on May 7, 2026, which will further define the party’s leadership landscape.
The DA aims to become the largest party in the metros during the upcoming local government elections and ultimately in the 2029 national elections. In the 2024 elections, the DA secured 6,961,361 votes, representing 21.81% of the total votes cast.
As the DA moves forward with its new leadership, the implications of these elections are significant for the party’s future and its aspirations in the political landscape of South Africa.
