🔴 LIVE: DA Federal Congress 2026

Thousands of Democratic Alliance (DA) delegates from across South Africa have congregated for the party's Federal Congress. This marks the launch of the DA's mission — Getting South Africa Working.

According to Stats SA, the Western Cape — governed by the DA — has created more than 70,000 jobs in the third quarter of 2025. The province continues to lead in job creation and has the lowest recorded unemployment rate in South Africa at 19.7% in Q3 of 2025.

According to the DA, they have created 80% of the total employment growth in South Africa.

Delegates voting for constitutional amendments.

🕐 12:00 | DA Constitutional Amendments Vote

13:17 | Members oppose that any decisions regarding coalitions must be approved by the Federal Executive.

13:08 | They are doing a physical count of the number of delegates who agree to the DA's proposed amendments to coalition agreements.

13:05 | Members support that the Federal Executive may amend a sanction imposed by a disciplinary panel without undue delay but only by a two-thirds majority of members present.

12:53 | Members do not support the proposal that the day-to-day management of the administration of the Party be entrusted to a National Management Committee.

12:52 | Members agree that the Federal executive shall report to the Federal Council meeting on decisions taken.

12:46 | 50.08% of members voted for the aforementioned amendment.

12:36 | They are doing a physical counts for the proposal that the Federal Congress elects the Federal Leader, the Deputy Federal Leader, the Federal Chairperson and the Deputy Federal Chairpersons.

12:34 | Members oppose amendment that at least 10% of the non-pubic representative delegates should be under the age of 31 years at the date of election, to ensure meaningful representation of youth voices in the highest policy-making body to the Party.

🕐 10:52 | Alan Winde Delivers His Speech at the Federal Congress

"The feeling in this room is electric, I've never felt so much optimism and hope at a congress... If you're not on the blue wave, now's the time to get on the blue wave."

"Congress, just imagine a country, our country, so full of potential with a DA-led national government at the helm."

"When the DA took over the Western Cape 17 years ago, we knew immediately that we had to get the basics right."

"In 2009, when the DA took over governing the Western Cape, under the leadership of Helen Zille, we inherited an administration with no — zero — clean audits. By 2015, clean audits became our brand and trust developed with our residents."

"When Helen Zille becomes the mayor of Johannesburg later this year, I have no doubts that the same rapid change will happen in Jozi."

"Under the DA, we are building schools faster than any other province in South Africa."

Alan Winde delivers his speech to the delegates at the 2026 Federal Congress.

🕐 09:52 | John Steenhuisen Addresses the Federal Congress as DA Federal Leader for the Last Time

"It was in late 2019 that the members of this great organisation first entrusted me with the responsibility to rebuild the DA, a mandate that has been renewed twice in 2020 and 2023."

"The party I inherited in late 2019 was on its knees, polling at 16 percent, divided, and driven by a crisis of confidence."

"After we had stabilised the party, we met in this exact same venue on the second of April 2023, when we embarked on a mission that changed the history of the DA, and of South Africa."

"Not only is the blue machine stronger and healthier than ever. Not only are we now routinely polling closer to 30 percent. But, for the first time in the history of our party, the DA now co-governs the Republic of South Africa."

"That a party once consigned to irrelevance and ridicule now shapes the destiny of South Africa, is the legacy I leave behind for the Democratic Alliance. For me, it is Mission Accomplished."

"And finally: for anyone who may be wondering what I will be doing next. Aside from working night and day until we defeat foot-and-mouth-disease, I will be doing what I have always done since I first joined the DA after high school. I will be side-by-side with all of you in this glorious blue machine, working in the trenches to support the next chapter of our storied history."

"I love my party. And I love my country. And I will continue to serve them both with all my heart and soul."

🕦 09:00 | Helen Zille Makes Her Way on Stage to Ndihamba Nawe by Mafikizolo

09:14 | Helen Zille makes her opening address.

"...In building a sustainable liberal democracy, the first 500 years are always the most difficult."

"Historians will one day ask: how did South Africa — of all countries — chart a different course? The answer will be: the Democratic Alliance."

"We are the part of inclusion. We call ourselves the Blue People — not black, not white, not brown."

"We are on course to become the largest party in South Africa's metros. And from there, we move to the next milestone: becoming the largest party in the country."