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Democratic Alliance’s Federal Council’s chairperson Helen Zille
The Democratic Alliance‘s Federal Council chairperson, Helen Zille, says the party joined the Government of National Unity because it wants to see a stable South Africa.
Her statement comes as the DA holds its Federal Congress in Midrand, Johannesburg, this weekend.
New leaders will be chosen in the two-day elective conference ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Zille says it’s important for the DA to uphold its principles despite being part of the GNU.
“I think our cabinet faces a difficult path we have to stand firm on our principles and oppose other things that the ANC wants to do at the same time have we have to deliver in our portfolios. Obviously, it’s not always smooth sailing, but in politics, you have to look at what the alternative would have looked like. And the alternative would have been horrific. The doomsday coalition would have been doomsday for SA. The ANC, the EFF and MK, we wouldn’t be on an upward trajectory as a country that we are now, with the strengthening of our currency with the ratings agencies and the fight we put up again value added tax for the poor and in stopping corruption. So we are in a better place.”
IN PICTURES | DA Federal Chairperson Hellen Zille has urged delegates at the Federal Congress to go out in their numbers to campaign for the party ahead of the Local Government Elections in order to ensure the progress and success of South Africa.
Pictures by Lerato Matlala pic.twitter.com/2RytGI2Le3— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 11, 2026
The DA says its Federal Congress symbolises a new and important chapter for the future of the country.
About 2,000 delegates from across the country are attending the two-day elective conference at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Dr Ivan Meyer, the DA’s contestant for the position of federal chairperson, delivered the opening remarks.
“At this congress, we are meeting at a time when liberal democracy is under attack. During times of uncertainty, we return to our values and core principles 3 years ago, we were the official opposition in SA. Three years later, we are in the govt. of GNU delegates at this congress, we will provide feedback on our performance in local government, provincial government and national government, as you would see the DA is making a huge difference in the GNU.”
WATCH | Helen Zille, Chairperson of the DA Federal Council, says the Democratic Alliance has built “one of the largest, proudest and most resilient liberal movements in the world, in one of the most hostile environments imaginable to liberal politics”. pic.twitter.com/iGr2TUOYva
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 11, 2026
