DA Eastern Cape Congress Elects New Provincial Leadership Team

GQEBERHA | 28 February 2026 — The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has elected a new provincial leadership team at the party’s Provincial Congress held in Gqeberha on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

In a statement issued by presiding officers Werner Horn MP and Bridget Masango MP, the party said the congress formed part of its internal democratic processes, with delegates selecting leaders to steer the organisation in the province.

Andrew Whitfield elected Provincial Leader

According to the statement, Andrew Whitfield MP was elected as the DA’s Provincial Leader in the Eastern Cape.

The party also announced two Deputy Provincial Leaders:

• Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL

• Mlindi Nhanha MP

New provincial chairperson and deputies announced

The DA said Yusuf Cassim MPL was elected as Provincial Chairperson.

Three Deputy Provincial Chairpersons were also elected:

• Baxolile Nodada MP

• Chantel King MPL

• Cllr Rano Kayser

The statement described the congress as successful and said the outcomes reflected the will of the delegates who attended.

Focus turns to 2026 local election campaign

The DA said the newly elected leadership team would now begin preparing to lead the party into an election campaign ahead of this year’s Local Government Elections.

For Eastern Cape residents — including communities in Komani, Ezibeleni, Whittlesea, Cofimvaba, Tarkastad and across the Chris Hani District — provincial party leadership changes can influence how political parties prioritise local issues such as municipal governance, service delivery performance, infrastructure maintenance, and community safety.

While internal leadership elections do not change government directly, they can shape how opposition parties organise in wards and municipalities, select candidates, and set campaign priorities in the months ahead.

What happens next

The DA’s statement did not provide additional details on voting numbers, the total number of delegates, or the congress agenda beyond leadership elections. Komani News will update this report if further official information is released by the party, including any policy resolutions or campaign priorities adopted at the congress.