The Democratic Alliance elected Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new federal leader on Sunday at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. He defeated Sibusiso Dyonase, the party’s caucus leader in Sedibeng.
Why it matters
The DA enters the 2026 local government elections under new leadership for the first time in eight years. Hill-Lewis must hold the Western Cape while expanding into metros the party has struggled to win outright.
New leadership team
Hill-Lewis succeeds Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who chose not to run for re-election. Solly Msimanga was elected federal chairperson, replacing the outgoing chair. Ashor Sarupen takes over from Helen Zille as federal council chairperson.
The three deputy federal chairpersons are Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, former Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink and Communications Minister Solly Malatsi.
The plan
In his acceptance speech, Hill-Lewis laid out a four-point electoral roadmap. He called on the party to contest and win Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay and eThekwini in the upcoming local elections.
“Our plan is to win,” Hill-Lewis told delegates. He framed the metro contests as the first step toward making the DA the largest party in South Africa by the 2029 national elections.
What happens next
The congress was the largest in DA history, according to the party. Hill-Lewis must now balance his role as Cape Town mayor with national party leadership. The local government elections, expected later this year, will be his first test at the helm.