Msimanga confident he’ll be elected as DA’s next federal chairperson

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said he’s confident he will be elected as the party’s next federal chairperson.

The party is holding its 2026 national congress at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand this weekend.

On the agenda are amendments to the party’s constitution, policy discussions, and the election of new leaders.

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Voting is set to take place on Sunday, with Msimanga contesting the position of federal chairperson against incumbent Ivan Meyer.

Msimanga is no stranger to the federal chairperson race, having thrown his hat in the ring at a past congress.

During the party’s 2018 congress, he contested for the top position but lost to Athol Trollip, who has since moved to ActionSA and now serves as its member of Parliament (MP).

Msimanga said the moment is now right for him to rise through the ranks, adding that his nationwide campaign has garnered significant support.

“We can’t continue to do the same thing and expected different results. We must bring in a different element. We are very mindful of the leadership that has gone before us and laud a great foundation. We now need to answer this question: why is it that when the biggest party in South Africa is dropping phenomenally, we don’t see the DA going up?”

Voting for new leaders is expected to begin on Sunday morning, with results in the afternoon.