John Steenhuisen re-elected as DA leader

John Steenhuisen on Sunday retained his position as leader of the Democratic Alliance.

The race for the party’s federal leader was a two-horse race between Steenhuisen and the former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse.

Steenhuisen was elected by delegates of the DA at its largest federal congress in history, held on 1 and 2 April at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

He will lead the party for the next three years and also play a pivotal role in taking the party to the 2024 General Elections.

Helen Zille was elected unopposed as DA federal council chair.

Dion George was elected DA federal finance chairperson while Ivan Meyer was elected as the party’s Federal chairperson.

Solly Malatsi was elected DA’s second deputy chairperson, with JP Smith as first deputy federal chairperson and Anton Bredell as the third.

In his acceptance speech, Steenhuisen urged DA supporters to ensure the party emerged victorious in the 2024 elections.

The duly elected federal leader of the DA is John Steenhuisen ?

The Leader will lead us into 2024 as we work to build a new national government.

Only a strong DA can build a better future in South Africa! ??#DAcongress2023 pic.twitter.com/FcWyK5rc9b

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 2, 2023

He said that the DA’s mission was to vote the ANC out and block the EFF.

“Show them that only the DA is fighting to keep the EFF out. That way, voters don’t only have to believe what we say, they only have to through their own eyes see that when people vote DA and give us outright majorities, life gets better,” Steenhuisen said.

He added: “Given the fact that the ANC now officially co-governs with the EFF in parts of Gauteng, we need to start taking the threat of these parties ganging up to destroy our country in 2024 very, very seriously.”

“I want to be unequivocal about the DA’s view on this: the day that an ANC-EFF government takes over, it will be Doomsday for South Africa.”

“EFF Doomsday will make the collapse of Zimbabwe look like a dress rehearsal, and will leave all South Africans destitute – black, coloured, white and Indian.

“That is why, during the remaining months before next year’s election, the DA will make it our number one priority – and do absolutely everything in our power – to prevent an ANC-EFF Doomsday Coalition from taking power.”

DA federal leader John Steenhuisen joined on stage by his family.#DAcongress2023 @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/wyGQkbQZsq

— Bongekile Macupe (@BongeMacupe) April 2, 2023

“Democrats, friends and fellow South Africans.

I am humbled to stand before you today to answer the call you have made loud and clear during this historic Congress. And my answer is a resounding yes!”” – @jsteenhuisen #DAcongress2023

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 2, 2023

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Picture: Twitter/@BongeMacupe

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

Johannesburg — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has labelled its congress this year as the party’s “biggest and most historic Federal Congress ever”, as delegates descend on the Gallagher Convention Centre to elect the party’s new Federal Leadership.

At the congress, the DA has endeavoured to discuss and vote on 43 resolutions, seeking to drive its policy agenda and give practical expression to their values of Freedom, Fairness and Opportunity.

“The resolutions presented will build on, and extend, the DA’s policy offer for creating an inclusive society. The resolutions will speak to key areas of exclusion with a focus on how the DA will address them as a party of national government,” said its chief presiding officer Greg Krumbock.

The party’s delegates have also convened to elect their leadership. The current leader of the party John Steenhuisen will be looking to secure a second term while former Johannesburg Mayor, Mpho Phalatse will be seeking a position at the helm.

The two members on Saturday laid their cases as to why they should be voted for, with results set to be announced on Sunday.

?? The floor is set and ready for day 2 of the #DAcongress2023. Today the results of the DA leadership elections will be announced, and the delegates will also vote on policy resolutions. pic.twitter.com/Y3OrgTfPzA

— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) April 2, 2023

The party took a jab at its fiercest political competitors, the ANC, saying that “Opinion polls conducted by the Social Research Foundation, Rapport newspaper, and even internally by the DA and the ANC have all pointed to one inevitable outcome in 2024: the ANC will lose its majority and South Africa will, for the first time ever, be facing a national coalition government.”

It also criticised the congresses held by the ruling party.

“For decades the governing party’s National Congress has become synonymous with bribery, corruption, and a system in which brown envelopes and EFT transfers determine the outcome of an election,” adding that, “The corruption South Africa sees in its government, is merely a reflection of the corruption entrenched within the ANC as the governing party.”