Overview
- Geordin Hill-Lewis, elected Sunday at the DA’s Midrand congress, won the federal leadership by more than 90% over Sibusiso Dyonase.
- Hill-Lewis said he will not join the national Cabinet in the Government of National Unity and will appoint a proxy to represent him there, a move that could prompt a reshuffle of DA ministers according to reports.
- In his first address, he set a four-point plan to expand the DA, which includes governing well where it already holds power and connecting with voters who have not backed the party before.
- He named restoring law and order as the party’s single top priority, citing the daily fear many people feel due to violent crime and weak justice outcomes.
- The party also installed a new slate that includes Solly Msimanga as federal chair and Siviwe Gwarube as first deputy chair, as it targets gains in 2026–27 local elections after entering the unity government when the ANC lost its majority in 2024.