Western Cape DA leaders gear up for pivotal elective congress
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis addresses supporters and party leaders after declaring his bid to succeed John Steenhuisen as leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA), at the Elsies River Civic Centre in Cape Town.
Image: Picture Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
With nearly 700 delegates, the Western Cape is sending the largest provincial delegation to Johannesburg this weekend for the DA’s high-stakes elective congress.
More than 2 000 delegates are set to attend the pivotal gathering that could reshape the party’s leadership and direction ahead of crucial elections.
The two-day congress is taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Key policy positions are also expected to be debated.
DA Western Cape chairperson Jaco Londt said excitement has been building as delegates begin arriving.
“What I'm also quite excited about is for more South Africans to see how we practice internal democracy, but also, hear the ideas being put forward,” he said.
Londt said the congress could usher in a new, younger leadership cohort.
“We have such an exciting young crop of leaders who have put up their hands, and there's a very real possibility that without any said quotas, we will have an incredibly young, diverse team that is going to take us forward, and that is quite exciting.”
He added that the party is preparing to step into a new phase, with leadership changes expected across several key positions. Voting for the federal council has already concluded, while the weekend will see elections for the federal chairperson, finance chairperson, and three deputy chairperson positions, among others.
DA Western Cape Chairperson, Jaco Londt.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Londt also defended the DA’s identity within the Government of National Unity, saying its leaders are proving their value in government.
“I’m incredibly proud of what Ashor Sarupen is doing as a deputy finance minister, and how we're using our influence there for positive change. I’m excited to see how people like Leon Schreiber and Dean (Macpherson) are performing, and it is great to have more South Africans seeing the alternative,” he said.
DA provincial leader Tertuis Simmers said the party is entering a crucial period, with leadership changes coming amid rising political stakes.
“The feeling in the mood so far is very positive. Noting that there are a number of key positions which will, for the first time, see a change of hands where new blood will be entering the system, so to speak, at the federal level."
Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, said the province is accelerating delivery across priority projects in its R131bn infrastructure pipeline.
Image: Murray Swart/ Cape Argus
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said the DA appears to be deliberately repositioning itself by promoting younger leaders.
“To start having young people who might be there in politics for the next 10 to 15 years. Having the mayor of Cape Town, who seems to enjoy a lot of support, and who also comes from the DA’s youth organisation. Effectively, someone who has gone through the leadership course within the DA.
“So the posture of the DA is to say, we are going to avail to the nation, people who are young, who are steeped in the DA's ideology of liberalism, but also who can be attractive to young people.
“I think what is the DA is trying to do, is to position itself for the future. Expect more young leaders coming out of the congress,” Seepe said.
But he warned that generational renewal alone would not be enough.
Seepe said the DA has previously elevated young leaders like Mmusi Maimane and Lindiwe Mazibuko but struggled to sustain that momentum. He argued that the party’s biggest test will be how it grapples with inequality and historical disadvantage.