Key Takeaways
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) is facing a growing push for new leadership, with many party members seeking the replacement of current leader John Steenhuisen.
- Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is being considered as a potential successor to Steenhuisen, with some party members and donors pushing for him to take over.
- Steenhuisen is facing allegations of abusing his DA-allocated credit card, which has led to an internal investigation and damage to the party’s brand.
- The party’s donors are unhappy with Steenhuisen’s leadership style and are pushing for a change, with some already pulling their donations.
- The DA’s national congress is set to take place in April next year, and nominations for leadership positions will open in January 2026.
Introduction to the Leadership Crisis
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is currently facing a leadership crisis, with a growing lobby seeking the replacement of current leader John Steenhuisen. According to sources within the party, there is an "increasing appetite" for new leadership, with many members unhappy with Steenhuisen’s suitability to remain at the helm. This comes as Steenhuisen faces allegations of abusing his DA-allocated credit card, which has led to an internal investigation and damage to the party’s brand.
The Rise of Geordin Hill-Lewis
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is being considered as a potential successor to Steenhuisen, with some party members and donors pushing for him to take over. Hill-Lewis has been seen as a rising star within the party, and his charisma and leadership style have made him a popular choice among many members. However, Hill-Lewis has previously stated that he would not run against Steenhuisen, and it remains to be seen whether he will reconsider his position.
Pressure from Donors
The party’s donors are unhappy with Steenhuisen’s leadership style and are pushing for a change. Some donors have already pulled their donations, citing the damage to the party’s brand caused by Steenhuisen’s alleged abuse of party funds. This has put pressure on the party to replace Steenhuisen, with some sources indicating that donors are pushing for Hill-Lewis to take over.
Internal Party Politics
The push for a leadership change is not necessarily being championed by members of the DA’s federal executive, but rather by a strong lobby of influential provincial chairs and leaders, as well as powerful MPs. This lobby includes prominent figures from provinces such as the Western Cape, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape, which send the biggest voting blocs to DA congresses. The sources indicate that there is unhappiness among these provincial leaders and MPs with Steenhuisen’s decision to take the party into the government of national unity, and that this has led to a regrouping of opposition to his leadership.
Steenhuisen’s Response
Steenhuisen’s supporters claim that he is staying put in his position and is confident of being re-elected next year. They point out that he has secured the support of the majority of provinces, and that only two provinces will be a challenge for him. However, this remains to be seen, and the outcome of the leadership contest is far from certain.
ANC Monitoring the Situation
Top ANC leaders are said to be monitoring the situation, with party figures such as secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and President Cyril Ramaphosa said to be warm to the prospect of working with Hill-Lewis under the auspices of the GNU. The ANC is said to be keen to understand where the DA is headed and who will be leading the party, in order to determine how to proceed with the GNU. This has led to speculation that the ANC may be seeking to influence the DA’s leadership contest, although this has been denied by ANC insiders.
Conclusion
The DA is facing a critical moment in its history, with the leadership contest set to determine the direction of the party for years to come. The party’s members, donors, and allies are all watching with bated breath as the drama unfolds, and the outcome is far from certain. One thing is clear, however: the DA needs a strong and effective leader to take the party forward, and the choice of leader will have significant implications for the party’s future and for the country as a whole.
