JOHANNESBURG - DA leader John Steenhuisen had his calvary moment, announcing that it is “mission accomplished” as he stepped away from the party’s upcoming leadership race.
Steenhuisen prides himself for leading the DA into national government and putting South Africa on a new path to prosperity, saying the task of building on that legacy now rests with the party’s next leader.
His exit closes what he described as the most significant chapter in the DA’s history, moving from an opposition party to being the largest partner in the government of national unity (GNU).
READ | ‘It’s mission accomplished’, says Steenhuisen as he exits DA leadership
Steenhuisen’s departure leads to the obvious question: Who will take over DA leadership?
While the party is yet to formally open its leadership race, several names have already been touted.
Geordin Hill-Lewis
The Cape Town mayor’s name has come up quite frequently.
Prior to being sworn in on 18 November 2021, Hill-Lewis served in parliamentary oversight committees for Public Service and Administration, as well as Trade and Industry.
The City of Cape Town says Hill-Lewis is politically motivated to eradicate poverty, and believes that quality basic services are critical to empowerment and dignity.
Siviwe Gwarube
The youngest GNU Cabinet member has been in office since July 2024 as the basic education minister.
Before taking up office, Gwarube served as the DA’s chief whip and as health spokesperson.
She has been a critical driving force behind early childhood development reforms.
Gwarube also advocates for African languages as a driver for improved literacy at an early stage.
Solly Msimanga
The DA Gauteng leader is a veteran politician.
He previously served as the DA Gauteng spokesperson for sports, arts, culture and recreation in the provincial legislature.
Msimanga served on the education and economic development portfolio committees from 2014 until the municipal elections in August 2016, when he was elected Tshwane executive mayor.
During his time in office, Msimanga sought to ban blue lights for everyone except the Presidency.
Three years later, he announced his resignation as mayor to focus on other matters.
Andrew Whitfield
Whitfield was deputy minister of trade, industry and competition from 3 July 2024 until 25 June 2025, when he was removed from office.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said his removal was due to an unauthorised international trip.
Whitfield had travelled to the US as part of a DA delegation despite Ramaphosa’s warning against the trip.
The group met with US lawmakers and representatives of the Trump administration.
Ramaphosa deemed this a violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive.
Helen Zille
Could a phoenix rise to take over the DA reins once more?
Zille is a seasoned politician who has served in several high-profile positions within the DA and government.
She was the mayor of Cape Town, premier of the Western Cape, and federal leader of the DA.
She is currently the party’s federal chairperson.
Zille has recently shown interest in running as the DA’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg.
In an interview with eNCA, she said she would not run the City as a “some Archbishop Tutu unit project”.
Rather, she would ensure all residents receive proper services and that governance is responsive and effective.