The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-largest party, faces a daunting task under its new leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The party, long criticized for its predominantly white support base, must now navigate a fractured country where racial divides remain a significant challenge. Hill-Lewis, who succeeded John Steenhuisen on Sunday, aims to broaden the DA’s appeal beyond its core demographic, which includes white people and other racial minorities.
South Africa’s political landscape has evolved since the end of apartheid in 1994, yet the nation remains split along racial lines. The DA’s popularity has been stagnant at around 20% since the 2014 general election. The 2024 election results, which saw the African National Congress (ANC) support drop below 50% for the first time, brought the DA into a coalition government with the ANC and eight other parties. However, the DA’s share of the vote hovered just below 22%, highlighting the party’s limited appeal among the country’s black majority.
In a recent interview with the national broadcaster, SABC, Hill — Lewis acknowledged the need to “close the trust deficit “with the country’s black population, which constitutes about 80% of the population. He expressed optimism about the gradual breakdown of racial silos in the country, a trend he described as “encouraging.”Hill-Lewis’leadership team, which includes black politicians such as Solly Msimanga, the party’s leader in Gauteng province, and Siviwe Gwarube and Solly Malatsi, reflects a more diverse and young group of leaders, according to Hill-Lewis.
Despite the party’s efforts to appeal to a broader audience, its first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, resigned in 2019, citing the DA’s lack of commitment to a united South Africa. Hill-Lewis’election as leader and the appointment of other black politicians to senior positions within the party may signal a new era for the DA, according to political analyst Dr. Levy Ndou. Ndou noted that while race has always been a factor within the DA, the party’s new leadership appears to be a step towards a more multiracial entity.
Hill — Lewis, who remains mayor of Cape Town and has decided not to take up a role in the coalition government, faces the unique challenge of balancing his role in the fractious relationship with the ANC while also leading the DA’s campaign against the party at the upcoming local elections. His political career began within the DA at the age of 18, and he has since made history as the youngest lawmaker and, later, the youngest mayor of Cape Town. Hill-Lewis’commitment to performance and accountability within the DA, as evidenced by his intention to conduct a performance review of DA ministers, underscores his approach to leading the party forward.
Source: BBC Africa
