New DA Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis honours his predecessors

Geordin Hill-Lewis lifts his fist at the DA delegates after being announced DA Federal Leader.

In his inaugural speech as the new Federal Leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis honours his predecessors, Tony Leon and Hellen Zille.

Hill-Lewis ran against Sibusiso Dyason for the position of Federal Leader. He was elected alongside former Tshwane Mayor, Solly Msimanga, who has been appointed Federal Chairperson, with Siviwe Gwarube as the first deputy Federal Chairperson of the DA.

Speaking on Day 2 of DA Federal Congress at the Gallegher Convention Centre in Midrand, Hill-Lewis recognised the contributions that Leon and Zille had made to the party’s growth.

“Tony took a party that had 1.7% of votes and he made it electable by turning it into a fierce party of opposition. By that time South Africans didn’t think that we needed an opposition party. Tony stood up and insisted that our democracy will never succeed without one.”

WATCH | Geordin Hill-Lewis, newly elected Federal Leader of the DA, says Tony Leon laid the foundation for the modern Democratic Alliance by proving that opposition matters. pic.twitter.com/rx5Cmt6soO

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 12, 2026

Hill-Lewis says Zille continued to grow the party through, among other things, her ability to connect with people.

“Under her leadership, our party transformed itself from a party known as a strong opposition, to a party that could govern. In cities, towns, the DA began to show South Africans something new, that good governance was possible.”

Hill-Lewis says his mission is to ensure that the party becomes the largest in the future. He promises to build a stronger Democratic Alliance.

“My sincere thank you to each and every one of you, all the delegates of the Democratic Alliance for placing your trust in me. I accept this responsibility with humility, with gratitude and with a deep sense of duty. I stand before as your newly elected leader with the promise that I will be dedicated to building a stronger South Africa for everyone.”