DA elective conference will be vital turning point for party: Simmers

Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said the party’s national congress, which will take place this weekend, will be a pivotal turning point for the party.

With the province being the DA’s traditional stronghold, where it’s both in charge of the metro council and provincial government, Simmers said he’s excited to lead the party’s biggest delegation to the conference in Midrand, which will also be the largest one ever staged by the party.

It’s widely expected that the party’s new leader will also hail from the province, with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis facing off against his lesser-known opponent from the Sedibeng Municipality, Sibusiso Dyanose.

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As the party prepares to choose a new national leader, Simmers said he will be leading the largest contingent of 700 members to cast their vote.

Simmers said the new crop of young leaders, who are vying for federal leadership positions, is adding to the element of excitement.

“The feeling and the mood, so far, is very positive, noting that there are a number of key positions which will, for the first time, see a change of hands, where new blood will be entering the system so to speak, at a federal level.”

With outgoing Hill-Lewis expected to be a shoo-in for the party’s top job, Simmers said the decision will have far-reaching consequences for the party’s performance in future polls and not only in 2026’s local government elections.

“We are also in three years’ time heading to national and provincial elections, where we are well on track as a party to become the biggest party in what will become a new variant of the GNU [Government of National Unity].”

Simmers said the congress of around 3,000 delegates will also be an opportunity to reflect on the party’s performance under outgoing leader John Steenhuisen, whom he said has done “phenomenally” well.