2026 Democratic Alliance Federal Congress
Possibly April 2026
| |||
|
| |||
| |||
The Democratic Alliance will hold a national elective conference to determine its federal leadership in April 2026.[1] Nominations for positions contested at the congress opened on 27 February 2026.[2] Incumbent federal leader John Steenhuisen announced on 4 February 2026 that he would not seek another term as federal leader at the congress. The chairperson of the party's Federal Council, Helen Zille, has also declined to run for another term.[3] The federal leadership elected at this congress will lead the party into the 2026 South African municipal elections.[4]
Background
The Democratic Alliance held its previous elective conference in April 2023 where incumbent federal leader John Steenhuisen and Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille were re-elected to their posts, respectively.[5][6] Steenhuisen led the party into the 2024 general election where the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority and subsequently formed an unprecedented coalition with the latter.[7] DA members of parliament were given posts in president Cyril Ramaphosa's cabinet with Steenhuisen being appointed as the Minister of Agriculture.[8]
On 20 September 2025, Zille was announced as the party's mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 South African municipal elections.[9]
In November 2025, Steenhuisen requested that the DA federal finance chairperson Dion George be removed as the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment which led to a public fallout between George and Steenhuisen and resulted in George accusing Steenhuisen of abusing his party-issued credit card.[10][11]
The DA subsequently launched an investigation into the fallout between Steenhuisen and George.[12] On 12 January 2026, the party's Federal Legal Commission cleared Steenhuisen on the allegations that he abused his party-issued credit card, but the party's Federal Executive did resolve to continue an investigations into whether the actions of Steenhuisen and George brought the party into disrepute.[13] George resigned from the DA on 15 January 2026.[14]
On 21 January 2026, Zille announced that she would not seek re-election as federal council chair at the party's congress.[3] Steenhuisen announced during a press conference on 4 February 2026 that he would not seek re-election to another term, despite having declared that he would do so earlier.[15] Steenhuisen was under pressure for his handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa[16] and had reportedly fallen out with Zille, however, Zille and Steenhuisen have denied this.[17][18]
Confirmed Candidates
Potential candidates
Notes
References
- ^ "DA confirms 2026 Elective Congress". www.polity.org.za. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Bridget, Masango. "DA Federal Congress 2026: Nominations for Leadership Candidates are open".
- ^ a b Dentlinger, Lindsay. "Zille rules out standing for another term as DA's Federal Council chair". EWN. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Kotze, Dirk (2026-02-10). "South Africa's biggest opposition party will head to municipal elections with new leaders: what does it all mean?". The Conversation. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "DA re-elects John Steenhuisen as federal leader by a landslide". Business Day. 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "DA Leadership Election Results". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "ANC and DA reach deal to form South African government of national unity". www.bbc.com. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the appointment of Members of the National Executive | The Presidency". www.thepresidency.gov.za. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Haffajee, Ferial (2025-09-20). "'From Dada to Gogo' – DA announces Helen Zille as party's candidate for Joburg mayor". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Dion George quits the DA". Business Day. 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Davis, Rebecca (2025-11-18). "Big-spending Steenhuisen faces scrutiny as DA fallout over axed Dion George continues". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Hip, Chante Ho. "DA launches disciplinary investigation into Steenhuisen-George spat". EWN. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Media statement on the outcomes of the DA's Federal Executive meeting". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Molapo, Maki. "Long-standing DA member Dion George cuts ties with the party". EWN. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Plessis, Carien du (2026-02-04). "South Africa DA shakeup: Out with John Steenhuisen – and in with Helen Zille's favourite?". The Africa Report. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Not good enough, John Steenhuisen". Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Zille dismisses claims of a rift between her and Steenhuisen". The Mail & Guardian. 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Seeletsa, Molefe (2026-02-08). "Steenhuisen denies claims of Zille power play, says DA leadership exit was his own decision". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Ngoepe, Karabo (2026-02-02). "Geordin Hill-Lewis 'always the heir' to DA leadership, claims former party insider". IOL. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Goba, Thabiso. "Msimanga considering running for top position on DA leadership structure". EWN. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Gwarube eyes top DA post". The Mail & Guardian. 2026-01-22. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ Heyns, Tania (2026-02-03). "Dié kandidate kan Steenhuisen dalk opvolg". Maroela Media (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ a b "After Steenhuisen quits as Democratic Alliance leader, three contenders have emerged in the race to succeed him". www.africa-confidential.com. Retrieved 2026-02-22.