In an effort to remove the African National Party (ANC) as the country’s ruling party in the national elections to be held next year 2024, the Democratic Alliance, which is the the largest opposition party in South Africa, re-elected John Steenhuisen as its head on Sunday April 1 2023.
In order to defeat his opponent, former Johannesburg executive mayor Mpho Phalatse, who received only 17% of the vote, Mr. Steenhuisen received 83% of the vote.
He will lead the party for the next three years.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Steenhuisen said the DA will work with other “like-minded parties” ahead of the 2024 elections.
He, however, ruled out working with the ruling ANC and the smaller opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the upcoming elections.
Mr Steenhuisen took over the reins of the party in November 2019 following the resignation of then DA leader, Mmusi Maimane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will be seeking re-election under the ANC – whose popularity has declined in recent years.