DA Federal Congress: Steenhuisen and Zille bow out with pride

The Democratic Alliance's (DA) leadership partnership of John Steenhuisen and Helen Zille has bid farewell to its supporters, saying they are leaving behind a proud legacy of having built one of the world’s biggest liberal movements. 

While Steenhuisen said he had accomplished his mission of growing the party to almost 30% of the national support, Zille cautioned against race-based politics dividing the party. 

The pair said they had full confidence in a new crop of young leaders who are expected to take over the baton from them at this weekend’s federal congress. 

From federal leader to chairperson of the federal council, many have viewed Zille as the glue that holds the DA together. 

Stepping down to focus on her Johannesburg mayoral campaign, Zille said she was proud that the party stood strong during attacks on liberalism. 

“The DA stands out as an extraordinary outlier. Unbent and unbowed in the face of a global liberal retreat, we march forward,” she said. 

Meanwhile, John Steenhuisen said he was proud of having grown a party that was “on its knees” when he took over six years ago. 

“The people in this room refused to accept decline as our destiny. And as that famous saying goes, kyk hoe lyk ons nou!” 

Steenhuisen said despite now being in government, the DA has not backed down from its policies, including challenging expropriation and national health insurance in court.