Communications Minister Solly Malatsi (40) has thrown his support behind Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (39) to become the next leader of the Democratic Alliance, describing him as “the right person” to lead the party during its current transition.
The endorsement comes days before the DA’s federal congress in Johannesburg on 11-12 April, where delegates will elect new leadership following outgoing leader John Steenhuisen’s (50) decision not to seek re-election.
Malatsi, who is contesting the position of deputy federal chairperson at the congress, said Hill-Lewis is most likely to win the leadership race and argued the party needs leadership capable of managing its role in the national executive whilst strengthening DA positions in municipalities ahead of elections.
“The congress represents a generational shift,” Malatsi said, adding that new leadership should review and reshape the team based on performance rather than entitlement.
Hill-Lewis is the only declared candidate for the DA leadership position. The Cape Town mayor has served in that role since November 2021 and was elected unopposed as the party’s deputy provincial leader in the Western Cape in November 2023.
He holds an honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Cape Town and a master’s degree in finance from the University of London. Before becoming mayor, he served in the National Assembly for more than a decade, holding various shadow cabinet positions including shadow minister of finance.
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Steenhuisen announced in February he would not seek re-election, choosing instead to focus on his role as agriculture minister to combat a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The DA currently holds six ministerial posts and six deputy ministerial positions in the Government of National Unity, which was formed after the 2024 elections.
Malatsi indicated that leadership changes at the congress could lead to broader organisational shifts within the party, including a potential review of DA members occupying government posts allocated under the GNU. However, any cabinet appointments ultimately rest with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Other candidates contesting positions at the congress include Cilliers Brink, Belinda Echeozonjoku, Siviwe Gwarube, Anroux Marais, Nomafrench Mbombo, Nicholas Nyati and Dyonase.
Nominations for party positions opened on 27 February and closed on 23 March.
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