Brink Elected Deputy Chair, but Will Stay on to Fight in Tshwane
Newly elected leadership of DA photo supplied
Tshwane DA leader Cilliers Brink was elected to the position of Deputy Chairperson of the DA Federal Council at the party’s elective conference held at the Gallagher Convention Centre on Sunday, but be that as it may, he has already announced that he will stay on in Tshwane and fight for the position of Tshwane Mayor in the forthcoming Municipal elections.
The conference saw many young leaders of the DA emerging to take centre stage at national level in the affairs of the party.
DA patron Helen Zille and outgoing party leader John Steenhuisen didn’t stand for election.
40-year-old current Executive Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill Lewis was elected as the Party’s Federal Leader; a position held by Zille before vacating it to concentrate on Joburg Municipality politics.
Former City of Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga is now the party’s Federal Chairperson while Brink, who is also a former City of Tshwane Mayor, was elected as the party’s second Deputy Chairperson.
Basic Education Minister Siphiwe Gwarube was elected 1st Deputy Chairperson of the Federal Council and current Communications Minister Solly Malatsi was elected to the position of 3rd Deputy Chairperson of the Federal Council, while Dr Mark Burke is now the Chairperson of Federal Finance.
The elective meeting was described by the congress’ presiding officers Bridget Masango and Desiree van der Walt as the largest in the history of the DA “and reflects both the continued growth of the DA and its institutional maturity as it prepares for the year ahead.”
“I hope to make a contribution as part of the new generation of DA leaders to take our party forward to lead South Africa,” said an elated Cilliers Brink.
“But let me be clear: it doesn’t mean that I am stepping back as DA Mayoral candidate for Tshwane…in fact I am more determined than ever to win the race in Tshwane and contribute to growing our party in the North of our country,” he said.
Brink emphasised that he is here to serve all people and that he was looking forward to the 2026 Local Government Elections.