Hill-Lewis Elected DA Leader

Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected as the new leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) on Sunday, succeeding John Steenhuisen. The election took place during the party's federal congress in Johannesburg, where 2,500 delegates gathered to vote for new leadership. At 39, Hill-Lewis is the youngest leader in the DA's history and remains mayor of Cape Town.

Hill-Lewis acknowledged that closing the trust deficit with black voters, who make up about 80% of the population, would be a main focus of his leadership. The DA has struggled to increase its popularity beyond its core support base, which is mostly made up of white people and other racial minorities.

In the 2024 election, the DA polled just shy of 22%, despite entering power through a coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) and eight other parties. The party now holds six ministerial and six deputy ministerial posts in the government of national unity led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Hill-Lewis set an ambitious target to make the DA the largest party in South Africa by the 2029 general elections, aiming to lead the national government outright. He aims to outline his vision for the DA and its role in the government of national unity, focusing on policy reform. However, any cabinet reshuffle would require President Cyril Ramaphosa's approval.

Hill-Lewis faces significant challenges in broadening the DA's appeal. According to TimesLIVE, he must navigate personal political issues, including his past comments on apartheid town planning and rapid development in Cape Town. The Patriotic Alliance is making strong gains in DA strongholds, and many DA voters have conflicted feelings about the government of national unity.

Following his election, Hill-Lewis visited Johannesburg's Soweto township to woo black voters, demonstrating his understanding of the importance of growing the party's support. He also visited Laudium and Atteridgeville townships in Pretoria. The DA's success in attracting black voters will depend on several factors, including its policies related to redress.

Hill-Lewis comes across as affable and relatable, with an empathetic approach to addressing the concerns of black voters. His relationship with the ANC, the largest partner in the government of national unity, appears positive. President Cyril Ramaphosa held a 'meet and greet' with Hill-Lewis on Tuesday, marking a significant departure from the previously hostile relationship between the GNU partners under Steenhuisen's leadership.