The Democratic Alliance (DA) marked its 25th anniversary with a national blanket drive in Hanover Park, a community grappling with poverty and gang violence. The event, aimed at providing warmth to elderly residents, also served as a platform for DA leader John Steenhuisen to reflect on the party’s resurgence and outline its strategy ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking at the gathering, Steenhuisen highlighted the DA’s recovery since 2019, when the party’s polling numbers dipped to 16%. “Many predicted the death of the DA, but we’ve turned it around into a party capable of national governance,” he said. “I’d like to finish what I’ve started and lead the party into the next local elections.”
Steenhuisen emphasized the need for “strong leadership from the center” to propel the DA forward, expressing confidence that the party’s “best days still lie ahead.” He also addressed South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), urging faster economic reforms to combat the country’s “high debt, low growth, and high unemployment trajectory.”
“The GNU must accelerate at warp speed to stimulate the economy,” he said, referencing sluggish GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024. “We need to shift South Africa onto a path of hope, opportunity, and jobs.”
On international affairs, Steenhuisen called for diplomacy in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, advocating for dialogue to prevent further humanitarian crises. “Peace in the Middle East is essential—South Africa’s own history shows that solutions come through negotiation,” he said.
As the DA celebrates its legacy, the party is gearing up for a pivotal political chapter in 2026. With Steenhuisen at the helm, the DA aims to position itself as a key player in South Africa’s future.
