John Steenhuisen has been elected as the new leader of the Democratic Alliance.
The party announced the results of the elections at the conclusion of its two-day virtual federal congress yesterday.
It was a landslide victory for Steenhuisen, the party’s interim leader who was viewed as the frontrunner in the race for the top position, who went up against underdog Mbali Ntuli, garnering 80% of the vote.
Dr. Ivan Meyer was elected uncontested as the Federal Chairperson.
The three Deputy Federal Chairpersons are Refiloe Nt’Sekhe, Anton Bredell and Jacques Smalle, in that order.
Helen Zille was elected as the Chairperson of the Federal Council winning 69% of the votes cast.
The DA Federal Congress Presiding Officers Greg Krumbock MP, and Desiree van der Walt MP, said in a statement: “Voting for leadership candidates took place using the online OpaVote platform and this system worked well.
“All individuals who observed voting consider the elections free and fair.”
Delivering the opening address of the second day of the congress from the city of eThekwini, Steenhuisen hailed the DA for standing firm on its resolution to exclude race from its economic policies, values and principles despite the criticism it had earned for doing so.
He thanked Mbali for giving him a run for his money.
“Mbali, you did not make this an easy race. You fought me every step of the way, and you never gave up.
“In doing so, you helped entrench a proud democratic tradition in our party; that we don’t anoint leaders here; we elect them,” said Steenhuisen.
Having suffered an electoral decline in last year’s general elections, Steenhuisen said the party was now focusing itself on next year’s local government elections.