By Thapelo Molefe
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has formally announced that he will contest the position of federal leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), while Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga confirmed he is standing for federal chairperson, setting up a leadership race ahead of the party’s federal congress in April.
Hill-Lewis made the announcement at a media briefing in Cape Town on Friday, after current DA federal leader John Steenhuisen confirmed earlier this month that he would not seek re-election.
The position of federal chairperson is currently held by Ivan Meyer, with delegates expected to elect new leadership when the party gathers on 11-12 April.
In his address, Hill-Lewis said he was motivated by a sense of duty and belief in the country’s future.
“I know that South Africa can work and I want to help make it so,” he said. “That is why it is with a sense of pride and excitement that I today announce that I am standing to be the next leader of the Democratic Alliance.”
He thanked Steenhuisen for his leadership, saying the DA was stronger because of his tenure.
Hill-Lewis said he would seek a mandate to build a stronger party capable of governing nationally. He outlined four priorities: demonstrating good governance where the DA is in power, expanding support among voters who have not previously backed the party, shaping the direction of the government of national unity, and restoring hope in the country.
On governance, he said the DA must continue to show that it can manage budgets, protect institutions and deliver services.
“Whether they like us or not, everyone should have to agree that we are the best in government,” he said.
On the government of national unity, Hill-Lewis said the DA was correct to enter national government but must ensure it makes a tangible impact.
“A DA that drifts along quietly inside the GNU is also weak,” he said, adding that the party must work to shape government policy in line with its values.
He received endorsements at the briefing from Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who formally nominated him for the leadership position.
Earlier on Friday, Msimanga also announced his candidacy for federal chairperson at a separate media briefing.
Msimanga said the DA needed to invest in building stronger branches across all nine provinces and ensure activists were properly trained and equipped to engage voters in every community.
“We need to make sure that our activists are trained. We need to make sure that there’s capacity to converse with each and every available voter in each and every community,” he said.
He argued that the party’s future growth depended on strengthening structures at grassroots level and ensuring that federal leadership understood the importance of organisational work on the ground.
“I have built structures. I have built teams. I have built organisations. I have built campaigns,” he said.
A central theme of his address was what he described as the need to rebalance power within the party. Msimanga said too much authority had become concentrated at the centre, weakening the voice of provincial and regional structures.
“We are a federal party. We believe in the devolution of power in government, and therefore if we believe in the devolution of power in government, there’s no way we should not believe in the same thing internally,” he said.
He called for a stronger and more empowered Federal Council, saying it should play a more decisive role in decision-making.
“Our members must feel heard. Our branches must feel respected. Our structures must feel valued,” he said.
Msimanga also stressed that participation in government should not dilute the party’s principles.
“As a DA, we will not be diluting our stance just because we are in government,” he said, adding that the party must remain steadfast in its core beliefs even when it is uncomfortable to do so.
Reflecting on his political experience, Msimanga said he had served the party in multiple roles over 22 years, including councillor, regional leader, provincial leader, caucus leader and mayor.
“I’m not perfect, but I have been tested,” he said. “I will not be silent when the structures of our party need a voice.”
He said the DA had the potential to become the senior partner in government nationally and in several provinces if it focused on credible, capable and fearless leadership.
“This is not a dream. This is achievable. This is within reach,” he said.
The announcements formally open the race for the DA’s top leadership positions, with delegates set to decide the outcome at the party’s federal congress in April.
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