JOHANNESBURG — Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance at the party's federal congress in Johannesburg on April 12, 2026. The leadership election took place ahead of local elections scheduled for later in 2026.

The DA is South Africa's second-biggest political party. In his address to delegates, Hill-Lewis defended the party's decision to enter into a coalition government with the African National Congress while declaring that the party's goal is to win the next national elections outright.

"I am not satisfied being a junior partner in a coalition government. Our ambition must be to lead the national government. That is the next chapter in our party's proud history." Hill-Lewis said.

Hill-Lewis said the party had proven in the cities where it governs that it can lead the national government. "We can win power in South Africa, but only if we govern well, for every South African, are present in every community, and act as a strong and principled coalition partner." he added.

The ANC has governed South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994 but lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections. After that loss, the ANC negotiated a coalition government with the DA and other smaller opposition parties. Support for opposition parties has increased as support for the ANC has decreased.

The coalition government has faced hurdles due to ideological differences between the two parties. The DA and the ANC hold opposing positions on affirmative action, land restitution, and Black economic empowerment.