Old dilemmas hobble South Africa’s Democratic Alliance

Significance

Steenhuisen, who won with some 83% of the vote, has been party leader since 2019, when his predecessor, Mmusi Maimane, resigned after a disappointing electoral performance. Steenhuisen has since rallied the party through turbulent times; however, he is often criticised for lacking charisma and vision.

Impacts

• A lack of clarity on employment equity, affirmative action and economic redress policy will hamper efforts to attract black voters.
• Some frustrated black African DA figures may defect to burgeoning micro-parties, a pattern that has dogged the DA for years.
• Deepening criticism of the ANC by business leaders has not yet translated into growing support for the DA, but this may change.