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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has retained its provincial leader and chairperson at its provincial conference in Gqeberha. The provincial leader, Andrew Whitfield and Yussuf Cassim, as chair, were re-elected unopposed.
The DA’s focus now shifts to the next election cycle, starting with the upcoming local government elections.
The Eastern Cape Has Decided!
Meet the DA Provincial Leader: Andrew WhitfieldSafer communities. Services that work. Clean governance. Jobs and growth. pic.twitter.com/aKoTjjDFQO
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 28, 2026
The DA says it is aiming at issues surrounding roads, infrastructure and the water supply in the province. This, while also seeing the Eastern Cape as a key province for growth. According to the DA’s provincial leader, Andrew Whitfield, they will use every resource at hand to address the water issues facing numerous municipalities.
WATCH | Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is expected to speak at Elsies River Civic Centre today. With John Steenhuisen stepping down as DA Federal leader, Hill-Lewis is touted as a possible successor. pic.twitter.com/85ANUHYcou
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 27, 2026
“Instead of denying the lived reality of the people, the Premier should have committed to stabilising distressed municipalities, enforcing consequence management, implementing a funded recovery plan to address the R30 billion roads maintenance backlog, ensuring that conditional grants are fully spent, and rolling out a comprehensive water supply master plan to deal with the province’s water crisis. If the Premier cannot deal with the water crisis, our GNU Deputy Minister will be summoned by this Congress to come and address the water problem,” says Whitfield.
The DA’s provincial chairperson, Yussuf Cassim, says there are also gaps in coalition governance.
“Voters are tired of placing their trust in smaller parties that then turn around and leverage their support to secure positions that fulfil their own personal agendas. We have seen how the division of the opposition vote has destroyed not just service delivery, but the entire makeup of how government runs. The political landscape has shifted, even in the way people are getting involved in governance, and not in a positive way, because of the gaps being created through this coalition governance,” says Cassim.
According to DA MP, Samantha Graham-Mare, the aim is to become the country’s biggest party through consistent leadership.
“I think this demonstrates that three years ago, they were elected in Graaff-Reinet, and they have shown unbelievable leadership. We performed better than ever in the 2024 elections and secured two Deputy Minister positions in the GNU as a result. Their leadership has extended beyond that, and we truly believe that in the next set of elections in 2026, leading into the 2029 local elections, we need that continuity of leadership,” says Graham-Mare.
The party’s outgoing leader, John Steenhuisen, believes Gordon Hill-Lewis, the Cape Town Mayor, to be an excellent candidate to take over the leadership.
Steenhuisen will not contest the party leadership position.
“The nominations remain open until the end of March. There may be other candidates who come forward for a variety of positions. I think that once we have the full slate of candidates, they will make their pitch to the delegates of the party, and the leadership will emerge. I will be the biggest cheerleader of that team, continue to offer advice, and support them. Very few people understand how difficult that job is, and I intend to be a strong support to whoever is elected,” he adds.
The party will hold its national conference in April this year.
Related video | Democratic Alliance | Sanet Solomon unpacks nomination window ahead of elective congress
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/da-e-cape-retain-leadership-eyes-local-elections-service-delivery/
