Leader of the Democratic Alliance

Prior to entering politics, Helen made a name for herself during the apartheid era as a political journalist. She joined the party in the mid-1990s. Helen served in the Western Cape provincial legislature between 1999 and 2004 (including as MEC for Education), and in parliament between April 2004 and March 2006, when she was elected as Mayor of Cape Town. Helen was elected leader of the DA in 2007.

Chairperson of DA Federal Executive

Dr. Wilmot James MP a Member of the SADC ParliamentaryForum and the DA's Shadow Minister of Higher Education. He received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, USA and has worked extensively in higher education in the United Kingdom, United States and South Africa. He has also served as Executive Director of both the Human Sciences Research Council and the Institute of Democracy of South Africa. He served as a Trustee of the Ford Foundation before entering public life, being elected to Parliament in 2009.

Chairperson of DA Federal Council

James started working in the PFP research department with iconic figures like Helen Suzman and Colin Eglin late in 1978. He became the Communications Director in 1988, and the Executive Director in 1992. He was one of only three senators elected in the party in 1994. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1999, and has served as chairperson of the DA's Federal Council since 2000.

Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance

Former DA leader of the Eastern Cape, Athol Trollip was elected to Parliament in the 2009 elections and was subsequently chosen as the party's parliamentary leader.

Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic Alliance

Working closely with Ryan Coetzee, Jonathan ran the ground operations for the party during the 2009 Election Campaign. He was appointed CEO on 01 July 2009.

Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance

After joining the then-Progressive Party while at university, Ian worked his way up the ladder in the party and was elected to the Johannesburg City Council in 1982, where he became the Chairman of the Management Committee. In 1994, he was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and, in 1999, to Parliament. Ian became Chief Whip in 2007. He has also served as Gauteng Provincial Leader of the DA.

Chairperson of DA Federal Finance Committee

Dr. Dion George MP is the DA's Shadow Minister of Finance. He holds a BA (Hons), MBA and DBL (Economics), as well as an Advanced Certificate in Municipal Governance. He is a former recipient of the Investec Securities Prize, for his MBA research report on investment choice. Dr. George has previously served as a councillor in the City of Johannesburg. He became a Member of Parliament in January 2008.

Deputy Chairperson of DA Federal Council

Natasha Michael MP is the DA's Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. She was the former leader of both the Democratic Party's and the Democratic Alliance's National Youth, and she served as a Councillor for the Tshwane Metro Council until her election to Parliament in 2009.
 

Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance

Anchen started her political life as a volunteer for the old PFP in 1978, and then became a ward councillor in the City of Johannesburg in 1991.  In 1999 she was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature for the then-DP, and in 2005 became a DA Member of Parliament. In her previous term in Parliament, Anchen served as the DA spokesperson on Labour. On her re-election to Parliament in 2009, she was appointed as the Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration. She has also served the party as a whip since 2005.

Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance

Dianne Kohler Barnard MP is the DA's Shadow Minister of Police, and a whip for the DA in the National Assembly. She has extensive experience as a senior journalist and broadcaster. Ms. Kohler Barnard entered Parliament in 2004, and has previously served as the party’s spokesperson on Arts and Culture, and Health.

Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance

Dr Ivan Meyer received his BA from the University of the Western Cape and earned his MA and PhD in Public Administration from the University of Stellenbosch. He became a senior lecturer in Public Policy and Local Governance at the University of Stellenbosch. Prior to this he worked as the Chief Director: Provincial Training in the Directorate:Corporate Services of the Provincial Government. Dr Meyer is currently Minister of Social Development in the Western Cape Government.