DA leadership
DA elects Geordin Hill-Lewis as federal leader at 2026 Congress
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At the Democratic Alliance's Federal Congress 2026 in Johannesburg, delegates elected Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as the party's new federal leader on Sunday, following pitches from candidates the day before. The 39-year-old secured over 90% of the vote against Sibusiso Dyonase and unveiled a four-point plan to expand the DA into South Africa's largest party by 2029, while installing a youthful new leadership team.
The Democratic Alliance announced candidates for its top leadership positions on Tuesday, with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis facing an unexpected challenger in Sibusiso Dyonase for the federal leader role. The announcement follows a forced withdrawal and a leak of party finances ahead of the elective congress on 11-12 April. Nominations closed on 23 March.