Steenhuisen re-elected SA's main opposition leader

3rd Apr 2023 | Source: BBC

John Steenhuisen will serve a three-year term

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, re-elected John Steenhuisen as its leader on Sunday, as it campaigns to unseat the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in next year's national elections.

Mr Steenhuisen garnered 83% of the votes, to beat his opponent, former Johannesburg executive mayor Mpho Phalatse, who only obtained 17%.

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 ANC - whose popularity has declined in recent years.