The Democratic Alliance (DA) has elected Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new federal leader, succeeding John Steenhuisen, following a two-day Federal Congress. Reports indicate Hill-Lewis secured the position with approximately 90% of the delegate vote against a relatively unknown opponent from a small municipality.
Politics professor Piet Croucamp, from North-West University, analysed the outcome and described Hill-Lewis as a natural fit for the role, citing his track record as mayor of Cape Town. Croucamp noted that Hill-Lewis had allocated 75% of his budget to communities that traditionally do not vote for the DA, building a reputation for outreach beyond the party’s core base well before the congress.
Croucamp highlighted the party’s evolving composition and messaging. While acknowledging that some top leadership positions, including the federal leader, remain held by white figures, he pointed out that the chair of the federal council is not white and that a significant majority of delegates at the congress were not white, with many black attendees. He argued that focusing solely on the racial profile of top leaders misses broader progress, as the party has advanced in diversifying its delegate base compared to previous years.
In his speech, Hill-Lewis emphasised the need to address a trust deficit in black communities and to actively build trust to attract black voters. Croucamp welcomed this shift, contrasting it with past approaches where the party prioritised recovering lost white support after incidents like the one in Schweizer-Reneke. He suggested the DA appears willing to move away from a purely liberal stance toward more social democratic elements, including affirming the value of social grants and committing not to reduce or stop them.
The congress also elected Solly Msimanga as federal chairperson. Croucamp addressed speculation about Msimanga’s role, rejecting the notion that it is merely symbolic for gaining traction in previously challenging provinces. He noted Msimanga’s position as deputy minister of finance in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet and indicated that figures like Msimanga, along with others such as Siviwe Gwarube and possibly Solly Malatsi, are expected to influence policy alongside Hill-Lewis through the party’s consultative structures.
Croucamp observed that the newly elected leadership team is notably young, with most under 45, representing a generational shift. He contrasted this with other parties, particularly the ANC, which he said has struggled to bring younger leaders into key decision-making roles. The professor expressed hope that this “new wave” of leaders is moving beyond historical liberal imagery toward addressing South Africa’s realities, including dysfunctional schools, high unemployment (around 42% by the expanded definition), and the need to tackle issues like the construction mafia.
He cited practical examples of effective governance, such as Public Works efforts under Dean Macpherson that reportedly reduced the influence of the construction mafia by 66% on government sites through existing policies, court actions, and inter-departmental cooperation with bodies like the NPA, Hawks, and SIU. Croucamp stressed that good governance often comes down to simply “arriving for work,” cooperating across departments, and executing existing policies effectively.
Regarding the DA’s position in the Government of National Unity, Hill-Lewis outlined a four-point expansion strategy focused on the party’s service delivery record. Croucamp noted the challenge of balancing national partnership with the ANC while competing aggressively at local levels. He pointed to voting statistics showing that only a minority of eligible or registered voters supported the ANC in the last election, with millions of South Africans—many needing services—having disengaged from voting altogether. Building trust in these communities, he said, is essential before service delivery promises can translate into electoral gains.
Croucamp described the party’s internal decision-making as consultative rather than authoritarian, mirroring aspects of broader democratic structures with bodies akin to a national executive and working committees. He expressed optimism that the new leadership is united in its direction and positioned the DA to potentially play a larger role in governing South Africa, moving beyond being a perpetual opposition party.
The developments come as the DA, now part of the national coalition, eyes growth ahead of local elections.