JOHANNESBURG - As the Democratic Alliance (DA) heads into a pivotal elective conference, the race to succeed John Steenhuisen is no longer a predictable contest between familiar faces.
The absence of Helen Zille from the race has even added more fire to the contested leadership battle.
With the 2026 Federal Congress set to commence on Saturday over two days, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, the stakes are high. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is going toe-to-toe with a surprising contender, one who many would say emerged from the shadows, DA's Sedibeng Caucus leader, Sibusiso Dyonase.
READ | DA gears up for elective conference as Steenhuisen bows out
Dyonase was a finalist for Mr. South Africa 2023.
He may not be a household name, but he has decided to raise his hand to take on the leadership challenge.
Beaming with excitement, Dyonase said he brings with him years of grassroots politics and governance experience.
But who is Dyonase?
Born and raised in the Vaal region, in Everton, Dyonase is the seventh of eight children.
He was raised by a single mother who worked as a domestic worker.
He joined the DA in 2010 as an activist, paving the way for his political journey.
In 2021, he was elected PR Councillor in Sedibeng.
Between 2022 and 2024, he served as a DA Caucus Deputy Chairperson and Deputy DA Youth Regional Chairperson.
READ | Dyonase throws his hat in the ring for DA top job
He is now serving as DA Caucus Leader in Sedibeng District.
Dyonase is unapologetic about his mission to enter the competition and remains firm about his readiness.
“I have trained myself for this moment,” he told eNCA.
Acknowledging that the contest will not be easy, Dyonase stressed the importance of unity within the party and that he had rolled up his sleeves in preparation to contest for the position of federal leader.
“We are going to have to work together with the elected leaders that are going to be elected on that day to actually move the Democratic Alliance forward into bringing the good service delivery that the South Africans really do need right now," he said.
The candidates for election at the DA Federal Council, are as follows:
For Chairperson of the Federal Finance Committee: — Burke, Mark — Marais, Erik — Nkosi, Fanyana For Three Deputy Chairpersons of Federal Council: — Balie, Deonay — Dyonase, Sibusiso — Lotriet, Annelie — Mabaso, Innocent James — Mackenzie, Ricardo — Makoela, John Popifa — Mbombo, Nomafrench — Phenyane, Lungile — Pophaim, Carl — Sathekge, Segope Gabriel — Seitlholo, Sello — Smith, JP — Walters, Thomas For Chairperson of Federal Council: — Horn, Werner — Mokoena, Neo — Sarupen, Ashor |