This ends an era of more than two decades dominated by outgoing Federal Council leader Helen Zille who saw off one black leader and fell out with two other black contenders (AC Vol 67 No 5 Zille – the power behind the DA's throne)...

Having been the most vocal critic of Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen who in February announced his plans to vacate the leadership Helen Zille looks set to entrench her status as the grande dame of the DA by ensuring her protégé Geordin Hill-Lewis will succeed him (Dispatches 9/2/26 After Steenhuisen quits as Democratic Alliance leader three contenders have emerged in the race to succeed him)...

The bid by former DA leader Helen Zille to become Mayor of Johannesburg at year end is seen as a move by the veteran political leader to clean up endemic corruption and decay which could also if it succeeds lift the DA's national share of the vote...

Helen Zille head of the DA's federal executive is reportedly preparing a bid to run for Mayor of Johannesburg at next year's local elections...

Another contender is Mmusi Maimane chair of the Budget Appropriations Committee who has rebuilt his career since resigning as leader of the Democratic Alliance in 2019 after an ideological battle with the party's liberal wing led by Helen Zille (AC Vol 60 No 23 The DA's race dilemma & Dispatches 28/4/25 Treasury is the big loser after the tax hike fiasco)...

DA parliamentary leader John Steenhuisen and Federal Council Chair Helen Zille differ on GNU tactics with Zille advocating a more uncompromising approach taking matters to the brink...

DA Chair Helen Zille like Mbaks is seen as a frustrated control freak with perceptions of her waning influence in the DA...

DA Chair Helen Zille would support Leon's appointment...

Its federal chair Helen Zille has said that it is not a Government of National Unity but an ANC/DA coalition...