The Democratic Alliance (DA) has elected Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new federal leader, marking a significant leadership transition for South Africa’s second-largest political party.
The announcement was made on Sunday at the party’s federal congress held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, where delegates also elected Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga as federal chairperson.
Hill-Lewis takes over from John Steenhuisen, who led the party since 2019 and played a central role in guiding the DA into South Africa’s Government of National Unity following the 2024 national elections.
In his acceptance address, Hill-Lewis outlined a strategy aimed at transforming the DA into the country’s largest political party ahead of the 2029 general elections.
Building on governance record
A key pillar of Hill-Lewis’s message was the party’s governance track record in areas under DA administration.
He said the party must continue demonstrating that it governs effectively where it is in power, particularly in major cities such as Cape Town.
He also stressed the importance of expanding the party’s reach beyond its traditional voter base by engaging communities that have historically been sceptical of the DA.
The newly elected leader said the DA must combine competence with empathy, arguing that strong administration alone would not be enough to win broader national support.
“South Africa is hungry for a party that understands what life is like for ordinary people,” Hill-Lewis said in his remarks.
Coalition politics and future challenges
Hill-Lewis assumes leadership at a politically sensitive time.
South Africa remains under a coalition-style national arrangement after the ANC lost its outright majority in 2024, forcing the formation of the GNU.
Analysts say one of his immediate tests will be managing the DA’s role within the coalition while maintaining the party’s independent identity.
Another major challenge will be broadening the party’s appeal across racial and geographic lines, particularly in provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Political observers have also highlighted the need for stronger internal unity after several years of factional tensions.
Despite these challenges, Hill-Lewis has made clear that the party’s long-term objective is to move from coalition partner to leading the national government.
The leadership change comes as South Africa prepares for local government elections later this year, a contest widely seen as an early test of the DA’s renewed national ambitions.
Source: DA Federal Congress, SABC News, Daily Maverick, AP, Business Day.
