Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been elected new DA leader
Image: Picture Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis and Gauteng Province leader, Solly Msimanga, were the two big winners at the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Congress in Midrand on Sunday.
Hill-Lewis emerged as the new Federal Leader, taking over from John Steenhuisen, while Msimanga was elected Federal Chairperson, taking over from Helen Zille.
The pair fought off stiff competitors to emerge victorious and is now tasked with steering the party towards the upcoming local government elections.
Hill-Lewis, in his address after the announcement, commanded his opponent, Sibusiso Dyonase and called him a rising star within the DA.
“I got a chance to know him a bit. What a cool campaign you ran. In this party, we want the best for one another. I know you are going to do great things in the DA and South Africa,” he said.
Hill-Lewis also congratulated the new leadership and said many of them started with him at DASO (the party's student organisation) and he looks forward to leading with them. He thanked all party members for putting faith in him and he would lead with humility.
“Together, we will build a stronger South Africa. To do that, we are going to build a stronger DA,” he said.
The congress was attended by approximately 2,400 delegates.
karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za