Africa-Press – South-Africa. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially been elected as the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Federal Leader. The election took place at the party’s Federal Congress, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Sunday.
Hill-Lewis won the internal race against Sibusiso Dyonase, the party’s caucus leader in Sedibeng. He succeeds John Steenhuisen, who chose not to run for re-election in order to focus on his ministerial responsibilities.
Now tasked with leading the organisation over the next three years, Hill-Lewis used his first speech as the party’s “number one” to reflect on his journey within the DA. He noted that this was a position he has long aspired to hold.
“In 2007, I was right here in the crowds at Gallagher Estate, in this exact hall, and I remember I stood at the back and watched Helen Zille be elected as the leader of the DA,” Hill-Lewis shared.
The congress also saw the election of several other high-profile members to the party’s federal structures:
Federal Chairperson: Solly Msimanga, formerly the DA’s Gauteng Leader.
Deputy Federal Chairpersons: Three individuals were elected to these positions:
Solly Malatsi (Communications Minister)
Cilliers Brink (Tshwane Mayoral Candidate)
Siviwe Gwarube (Basic Education Minister)
Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen has been elected as the new Federal Council Chairperson.
This role is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the party and is informally referred to as the Secretary General.
Sarupen will be supported by three deputies:
JP Smith
Thomas Walters
Carl Pophaim
Additionally, the DA’s finance spokesperson, Mark Burke, will now chair the party’s Federal Finance Committee.
Article written by Alpha Ramushwana and Thabiso Goba
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