The Democratic Alliance (DA) has turned to a familiar rising star to lead its next chapter, electing Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new party leader. The 39-year-old succeeds John Steenhuisen with a bold mandate: to transition the pro-business party from a junior coalition partner to the head of the national government. With local elections expected by late 2026 and the ANC’s popularity continuing to slide over poor service delivery, the DA sees a genuine opening to expand. However, the DA faces a major hurdle: shedding its long-standing image as a party representing minority interests, which analysts say could limit its broader electoral appeal in a country where more than 90% of the population is non-white.
Reuters
