Democratic Alliance (South Africa)

The South African opposition party, formed in 2000, the official opposition since 1999 through its ancestors.

Overview

The DA grew from the Democratic Party of Helen Suzman anti apartheid tradition, merging with the New National Party rump in 2000 before the NNP dissolved back. Under Tony Leon, Helen Zille, and Mmusi Maimane, and John Steenhuisen, it became the official opposition with control of the Western Cape and Cape Town, the best governed province by most measures. Its base remains minority and middle class voters while courting black support. In 2024 it entered national coalition government with the ANC, the symbolic end of exclusive liberation party rule, promoting federalism, market reform, and delivery.