Steenhuisen's exit reshapes DA leadership race

Msimanga and Hill-Lewis emerge as frontrunners for DA federal leader position

- KARABO NGOEPE and THAMI MAGUBANE

WITH reports indicating that DA federal leader John Steenhuisen will not contest the party's leadership race in April, attention has shifted to who could emerge as his successor.

Steenhuisen is expected to address a press briefing in Durban today, with reports suggesting that he will not seek reelection at the party's federal congress in April.

As South Africa heads into a critical local government election year, the DA is under pressure to present a leader who can broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base. Party members in KwaZulu-Natal, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, expressed surprise at the move by Steenhuisen.

One leader said, "This is news to me; it sounds like a rumour." Another member said they were aware of the decision but declined to speak any further on the matter.

Yet another DA member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party was in need of fresh blood and direction.

"John led the party well out of the 2019 slump as an opposition leader. He was right for that time. Our next leader must be strong enough to stand up to the GNU partners so that there is still a strong opposition and DA values are not lost."

Another party leader said the developments were shocking but welcomed. "Party leaders come and go, and they must make a decision from the offices they occupy. If the leader believes that he or she has reached the limit of their contribution, it is good for them to step aside, or we run the risk of having a leader in office who is 90 years old and cannot even lift a finger."