
“I leave the party intact,” says Steenhuisen as he steps down
In an emotional farewell at the DA’s federal congress, John Steenhuisen said he was waiting for the new leadership to decide his fate
MONDAY, 13 APRIL 2026, 19:33

In an emotional farewell at the DA’s federal congress, John Steenhuisen said he was waiting for the new leadership to decide his fate
Nigeria has convicted nearly 400 Islamist militants after mass trials this week in the capital, Abuja

Outgoing federal council Helen Zille calls on delegates to campaign in good spirit and accept congress outcomes

Transnet’s inability to meet demand with its freight logistics is severely constraining South Africa’s growth.

Arena Holdings photographers Masi Losi, Refilwe Kholomonyane and Veli Nhlapho capture the first day of the DA 2026 Federal Congress taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand
Outgoing DA leader John Steenhuisen says he is leaving the party in a better position than when he took over in 2019, including accomplishing the “moonshot mission” of getting into governance.
DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says the viral video of her swimming in the pothole was not planned but rather an opportunity to show citizens that the party can fix Johannesburg

Botswana is holding to its ambition of buying a controlling stake in De Beers from Anglo American, potentially dampening interest from some private investors looking to acquire the diamond giant.

Outgoing leader reflects on rebuilding the DA and its entry into national government
The DA will use its national congress to zero in on municipal issues in a bid to arrest what it characterises as South Africa’s descent to a failed state, according to federal chairperson, Dr Ivan Meyer.

Solly Msimanga, Gauteng DA leader and MPL, says if he is elected as the party’s federal council chair, he will prioritise rebuilding grassroots structures that collapsed during the mass exodus of black leaders from the party, particularly in Gauteng
Zille bids farewell to DA members at the federal congress in Midrand

Many businesses in South Africa’s large informal sector remain outside the formal tax system, prompting SARS to step up enforcement.

The DA Federal Congress 2026 live

Horn is in a tightly contested race with deputy finance minister Ashor Sarupen
Democracy must be defended again and again in each generation, outgoing DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said as she handed over the baton to a new generation of DA leaders.