DA leader's days numbered? Helen Zille slams Steenhuisen axing rumours

Clement Manyathela is joined by Lukhona Mnguni, Acting Executive Director and Head of Policy and Research at Rivonia Circle, and journalist and political commentator, Peter Bruce.

Listen below:

Helen Zille has slammed suggestions she has any undue influence in respect of the succession of leadership in the Democratic Alliance.

The Chairperson of the Federal Council of the SA called in to 702's Clement Manyathela Show on Thursday to add her voice to a discussion about the future of the party's leadership. 

Manyathela opened the show by saying that, within the DA, there have been murmurs that current leader, John Steenhuisen's days as leader may be numbered.

It follows a recent Sunday Times article by political commentator Peter Bruce - 'A cold-blooded change looms in the DA' - in which he suggests 2025 might be the year of big change in the DA, including the unseating of John Steenhuisen as leader.

Steenhuisen is serving his second three-year term after being re-elected in April 2023. 

Zille slammed claims of the DA leader's possible axing from his position as 'rumour-mongering'.

"It's fascinating listening to people who are taken seriously as political commentators," she said.

She confirmed that a DA congress is scheduled for April 2026.

"I will have no say whatsoever, except one vote, in the succession - if there is a succession - in the DA."

Helen Zille, Chairperson - Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance

"There is absolutely no question of me influencing who the party chooses as the next leader. My job, in fact, is to be the custodian of fair processes within the party."

Helen Zille, Chairperson - Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance

Zille also dismissed claims she has a strained relationship with Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Basic Education.

"I have a very warm and cordial relationship with Siviwe, and she often comes and seeks my advice and we have very good chats."

Helen Zille, Chairperson - Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance

Picking up on a comment made by a listener earlier in the conversation, who suggested the DA would never 'get it right' due to the balancing act it is forced to perform, Zille dismissed the idea that the race of the party's leader impacts its level of support.

"We can prove that there is no correlation between getting more black votes and a leader of a particular colour."

Helen Zille, Chairperson - Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance

Is the DA confident in John Steenhuisen as a leader to complete his term, asks Manyathela?

"The point is it has nothing to do with anyone else to say they are confident in John Steenhuisen. He was elected with an 83% majority and we are a party of the rule of law."

Helen Zille, Chairperson - Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.

ALSO READ: ‘SA would be a very different place without the GNU’ – DA’s John Steenhuisen