US EditionDA congress: Zille calls on the ‘blue people’ to reject the far right and ‘woke left’
Zille said the DA is passing the baton to new leaders as more than 2,000 delegates prepare to elect a federal leader and debate party changes.
- Outgoing Democratic Alliance Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille delivered her final official address at the Federal Congress in Midrand on Saturday, where more than 2,000 delegates gathered at the Gallagher Estate.
- Zille emphasized the Democratic Alliance's commitment to liberal democracy, rejecting far-right and "woke left" politics while uniting members under shared values the party has "made extraordinary progress" advancing over 67 years.
- Delegates debated a constitutional amendment to create a Dedicated Deputy Federal Leader but rejected the motion; after a hand count, the proposal failed with 50.8% of the vote.
- The Democratic Alliance will choose new leaders on Sunday, marking a generational shift, as Zille steps down as Federal Council chairperson to focus on her campaign to become mayor of Johannesburg.
- Zille expressed confidence in the next generation for local government elections later this year, expecting "hundreds of parties" on the ballot as the Democratic Alliance aims to become South Africa's largest metro party.
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Helen Zille: How SA's Blue Machine has thrived despite global attack on liberalism
Key topics:Defending liberal democracy amid global rise of identity politicsDA growth in SA politics, aiming to become largest party in metrosCommitment to rule of law, inclusion, rejecting race-based politicsSign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox every morning on weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa's bastion of independent …
In South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA) party is holding its major congress this weekend to renew its leadership team. Nearly 2,000 representatives of the centre-right liberal party have come from all over the country to vote. The DA has taken a turn since joining the national unity government in 2025, alongside the ANC, which has lost its absolute majority.
Resist pull of race-based politics, warns Helen Zille – The Mail & Guardian
Outgoing federal council chair Helen Zille used her final speech at the Democratic Alliance federal congress on Saturday to caution delegates against race-based politics ahead of the 2026 local government elections. “We must resist the pull of race-based politics and defend the inclusive, rational centre. We are not black, not white we are blue,” said Zille. She added that everyone who contests and loses will remain a member of the party. “Every…
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