/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9455_731510.jpg "Supporters of Geordin Hill-Lewis hold posters bearing his name as he claims the party's top job at the DA Federal Congress 2026, which was held over the weekend at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8798_572091.jpg "Geordin Hill-Lewis engages with his supporters shortly after he was annouced as the new leader of the DA. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9458_916885.jpg "The 39-year-old Cape Town mayor was expected to win the DA leadership, this after outgoing DA leader John Steenhuisen announced he would not seek re-election earlier this year. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8878_912237.jpg "Geordin Hill-Lewis shares a kiss with his former fashion designer wife Carla. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9185_128546.jpg "A delegate celebrates during the 2026 DA Federal Congress. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9336_981454.jpg "Delegates broke into song and dance as the DA party elected its new leader this weekend. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8753_191915.jpg "The party faithful came in numbers to Midrand to offer their support. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8740_349066.jpg "Singer and actor Emo Adams provided some of the entertainment during the 2026 DA Federal Congress this weekend. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8728_694217.jpg "Delegates embrace after hearing the news of who will be leading their party as the country heads towards local government elections. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8689_299062.jpg "Delegates welcome the news of who will be their next leaders. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8706_310461.jpg "A delegate draped in a Democratic Alliance flag offers her support during the 2026 Federal Congress. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8758_359130.jpg "Helen Zille, who insisted over the weekend that no votes would be bought during the 2026 Federal Congress, is stepping down as the party's Federal Chairperson. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8922_887410.jpg "Geordin Hill-Lewis won big, claiming 90% of the vote to beat rival Sibusiso Dyonase, the DA’s caucus leader in the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8971_315030.jpg "Speaking after his nomination, Geordin Hill-Lewis told his supporters that he accepted his new role as leader with “humility, gratitude and with a deep sense of duty”. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A9020_371625.jpg "Geordin Hill-Lewis and his wife Carla enjoy the moment after hearing that he would be the next leader of the DA. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A9009_132832.jpg "Geordin Hill-Lewis celebrates his nomination after a landslide victory after his rival Sibusiso Dyonase. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9195_690044.jpg "Solly Msimanga was voted in as the Deputy Federal Chairperson. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9254_740183.jpg "Dean Macpherson and Willie Aucamp in conversation during the DA Federal Congress 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9520_918894.jpg "Two rivals for the DA leadership Sibusiso Dyonase and Geordin Hill-Lewis embrace following news that the Cape Town mayor had won the nomination. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9415_433665.jpg "Siviwe Gwarube, Cilliers Brink and Solly Msimanga celebrate during the DA Federal Congress 2026 over the weekend. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9433_692911.jpg "Delegates voice their approval after learning who will lead their party. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)")
DM
PHOTO ESSAY
A sea of blue welcomes Geordin Hill-Lewis as the DA's new leader
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Congress 2026, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, saw delegates officially elect Geordin Hill-Lewis as the new Federal Leader of the DA.
Geordin Hill-Lewis dances on stage during the DA Federal Congress 2026 on 12 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)