Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis had been nominated to contest to succeed John Steenhuisen as leader of the DA.
Image: File
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will elect a new leader this weekend at its federal congress in Midrand, with party officials expressing confidence that the outcome could position the organisation to lead South Africa after the next general elections.
More than 2,000 delegates began arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday ahead of the two-day elective conference at the Gallagher Convention Centre, where voting is scheduled to take place between Saturday and Sunday.
DA's Sibusiso Dyonase believes in his chances for leadership
Image: DA
The leadership race follows the decision by outgoing leader John Steenhuisen, now Minister of Agriculture, to step down and focus on his role in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The contest for the top position is between Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Sibusiso Dyonase, the DA’s caucus leader in the Sedibeng District Municipality.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, DA Federal Congress spokesperson Luyolo Mphithi said the party believed it was on a trajectory toward national leadership.
“This is the DA’s largest congress to date, and when we met a few years ago for this same congress, no one believed that the DA would be in the national government, but there we are in the national government.
“Many of my colleagues will agree that we could be electing the next president of South Africa in this congress. We do believe that it is possible,” said Mphithi.
He added that the party would target outright majorities in municipalities in upcoming local government elections.
“As a party, we are ready to lead in municipalities across our country, and we are ready to lead the country in 2029,” he said.
Mphithi said the DA was committed to a transparent and credible process. “to showcase the beauty of our party to South Africans”.
Political analysts offered mixed views on the party’s prospects. University of KwaZulu-Natal analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said the DA could grow its support by emphasising governance and anti-corruption within the GNU.
“Also, the ANC president once said the best-run municipalities are under the DA leadership.
“These points will resonate with the middle class in particular,” he said.
However, Ntombela questioned Hill-Lewis’s record, citing inequality in Cape Town, and described Dyonase as relatively unknown beyond party structures.
“As for Dyonase, he is an unknown individual except to the DA constituency. In South African politics, populism and charisma are the two important determining factors,” said Ntombela.
Another UKZN analyst, Zakhele Ndlovu, said the DA still faced structural challenges in expanding its voter base.
“It has done well with minority groups such as Indians and Coloureds, but it needs the support of the black middle class to become the largest political party.
“I don't see Hill-Lewis taking the DA to another level since it remains a lily-white party,” said Ndlovu.
In addition to the leadership race, the party is also selecting a new Federal Council chairperson to replace Helen Zille, who is focusing on her campaign for mayor of Johannesburg. Candidates for that position include Mark Burke, Erik Marais and Fanyana Nkosi.
Presiding officer Bridget Masango said the congress would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution.
“And ensure that all processes are conducted fairly and are conducted transparently and in line with the DA’s constitution.
“We act as neutral custodians of the process, and that includes overseeing the voting process and ensuring compliance with the rules and maintaining order.
“The delegates and South Africa can be confident in the fairness and credibility of the DA federal congress this weekend,” said Masango.
Fellow presiding officer Werner Horn said the process would follow rules comparable to those of the Electoral Commission.
“When a candidate submits acceptance of nomination, they must also agree to abide by the standard of conduct.
“If one candidate complains about the messaging of another candidate’s tactics, the presiding officer must determine facts before taking a remedial action.
“When a candidate is unhappy with a specific ruling, they can declare a dispute, and then our legal team is empowered to determine that dispute,” said Horn.
In an interview with SAFM's The Talking Point presenter, Cathy Mohlahlana, on Friday morning,, Horn said both leadership candidates brought differing governance perspectives.
“I have got Geordin, who has a record of leading success in local government, while Sibusiso comes from the Vaal region, which is dysfunctional, and in that sense, he has a perspective, having looked at those government failures,” said Horn.
Delegates are expected to begin registering early on Saturday, followed by reports on the outgoing leadership and policy discussions.
Voting is scheduled for Sunday, with the announcement of the new leadership expected around midday or early afternoon.