Hill-Lewis says DA will continue push back against policy in GNU that hampers progress

The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s new federal leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said as a coalition partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), his party will continue to push back against policy and legislation in the GNU that hampers progress.

Should Hill-Lewis return as Cape Town mayor after 2026’s local government elections, he will be directing the party’s ministers without being privy to Cabinet - unlike his predecessor, John Steenhuisen.

Accepting the leadership role at the party’s federal congress this weekend, Hill-Lewis said while the GNU is both complex and fraught, the party must not lose sight of the reason why it exists.

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The 39-year-old has become the DA’s fourth leader since its formation in 2000 and now takes the baton from Steenhuisen, who, after six years at the helm, took the party into national government.

Praising Steenhuisen for this feat, Hill-Lewis saod the party must continue to use its position in the GNU to attract first-time DA voters.

“In the DA, we are never in government for positions or titles. We are there to show the DA difference in word and indeed, under my leadership, the DA will fight every day to shape the direction of government so that it reflects our values.”

Hill-Lewis said under his leadership, the party won’t be backing down on challenging African National Congress (ANC) policies and legislation that it does not agree with, and which it believes is blocking the country’s progress.

“We will show that it is possible to build a health system that better serves the poor without taking away anything from those who have worked hard to afford medical aids. We will oppose crony enrichment schemes that see the same politically connected friends making billions, while millions of people see no benefit at all.”

Furthermore, Hill-Lewis has pledged to also continue to challenge cadre employment, the expropriation of property and to defend the right to mother-tongue instruction.