The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, has elected Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new leader, marking a major leadership transition as the party positions itself for upcoming local and national elections.
Hill-Lewis was widely expected to succeed outgoing DA leader John Steenhuisen, who has headed the party since 2019 and is stepping down.
In his acceptance speech at a party conference near Johannesburg, Hill-Lewis said the DA aims to expand its political influence significantly in upcoming local polls scheduled for later this year.
“If we work hard, we can win more towns and cities than we’ve ever won before,” he said, adding that the party should aim not just to remain in coalitions but to lead national government by 2029.
“I am not satisfied being a junior partner in a coalition government. Our ambition must be to lead the national government,” he stated.
The DA currently holds about 22% of seats in South Africa’s National Assembly, making it the second-largest party after the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which holds around 41%.
South Africa’s ruling coalition, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has faced growing public dissatisfaction over service delivery challenges, including water shortages, road infrastructure issues, and municipal inefficiencies.
The DA has traditionally positioned itself as a pro-business opposition party and has consistently criticised ANC policies, including national health insurance and affirmative action measures.
Hill-Lewis’s election comes ahead of local government elections expected before November, which are widely seen as a key test for the ANC’s popularity after years of declining electoral support.
Political analysts say the ANC has historically performed worse in local elections than in national polls, as voter frustration over basic service delivery tends to be more pronounced at municipal level.
The DA has also faced criticism over its historical support base, with some observers arguing that it has struggled to expand beyond its traditional constituency, a perception the party denies.
Hill-Lewis’s leadership is expected to maintain continuity with the policy direction of his predecessor, with a focus on economic growth, governance reform, and coalition strategy.
Some analysts, however, suggest the party may face challenges in broadening its appeal in a country where more than 90% of the population is non-white.
Despite these challenges, Hill-Lewis said the DA remains focused on expanding its influence across municipalities and strengthening its position ahead of the 2029 general elections.
