History

The Democratic Alliance is the result of many parties and movements coming together over the years, united in a shared commitment to Rescuing South Africa, a mission built on the values of freedom, fairness, opportunity, and diversity for all South Africans.

1959
Progressive Party (PP) is formed to confront apartheid head-on
During the darkest chapter of our country’s history, the National Party’s (NP) policy of apartheid is systematically denying the black majority their rights on a scale never seen before. The United Party (UP) is in opposition at the time but they are unwilling to confront apartheid head-on. And so, thirteen MPs break away from the UP to form the Progressive Party (PP), a party dedicated to opposing apartheid and the origin of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
1961
PP’s Helen Suzman single-handedly opposes apartheid in Parliament
In 1961 the PP wins its first seat in Parliament with Helen Suzman. At a time when speaking out against apartheid came with harsh penalties, Suzman wages a single-handed campaign against every piece of apartheid legislation put before Parliament.

She fights against detention without trial, pass laws, influx control, job reservation on the grounds of colour, racially separated amenities, Group Areas, and forced removals. She demands trade union rights for all and fights for better wages and working conditions. She visits prisons and obtains better conditions for prisoners.
1977
Progressive Federal Party (PFP) becomes official opposition to apartheid government
Suzman’s party goes on to win six more seats in Parliament and merges with another UP breakaway called the Reform Party to form the Progressive Reform Party (PRP). The PRP then goes on to merge with another UP breakaway called the Committee for a United Opposition to form the Progressive Federal Party (PFP).

Under the leadership of Colin Elgin, the PFP is elected official opposition after the 1977 election.
1989
PFP keeps fighting against apartheid and becomes the Democratic Party (DP)
Under the cloud of the State of Emergency an NP breakaway called the Conservative Party takes over as official opposition.

But the PFP continues to oppose the apartheid constitution, which excludes black people and gives the newly created office of the state president too much power. And after negotiations, the PFP merges with the Independent Party and the National Democratic Movement to form the Democratic Party (DP), led by Zach de Beer.
1989
DP plays a vital role in negotiating an interim constitution
With the unbanning of the ANC, PAC and other liberation organisations, and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, the process of negotiations for political change in South Africa begins. The DP plays a vital role in negotiating a constitution that includes most of the principles and ideals the Progressive Party first stood for in 1959.
1999
DP becomes the official opposition, guarding SA’s first democratic constitution
After South Africa’s first democratic election, DP Leader Tony Leon begins the fight for the legitimacy of opposition in a democratic SA.

The DP grows in the 1995 municipal elections and overtakes apartheid’s NP to become the largest opposition party in the country in the 1999 general elections.
2000
Democratic Alliance (DA) is formed to ensure freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity for ALL
The DP decides that the best way to protect and strengthen democracy in SA is to build a strong opposition able to restrict the one-party dominance of the ANC. In 2000 the DP reaches a merger agreement with the Federal Alliance and the New National Party (NNP), and the DA is formed. A year later the DA’s relationship with the NNP and former DP members breaks down and the NNP forms an alliance with the ANC.
2004
DA grows and becomes the most popular opposition party
In the 2004 general election, the DA gains 12.3% of the vote and wins 50 seats in the National Assembly. The Party grows by 400 000 votes, increasing in support in eight out of nine provinces. The DA is the fastest growing party overall, and becomes the only viable alternative to the ANC.
2006
DA’s Helen Zille elected Mayor of Cape Town and DA Leader
In the 2006 local government elections, the DA increases its national share of the vote to 16,3%. The Party gains more representatives in the six major cities, and becomes the largest party in the City of Cape Town with 41,9% of the vote! Helen Zille is elected mayor in a nail-biting contest, and when Tony Leon announces that he will not run for re-election as the Party’s leader, Zille is elected Leader of the DA.
2008
DA wins Western Cape with outright majority
World Mayor of the Year and DA Leader, Helen Zille, sees the DA re-launch as a party of government that delivers for all. In the 2009 general elections, the Party wins 16,7% of the national vote and 67 seats in the National Assembly. The Party also wins the Western Cape with an outright majority with 51.5% of the provincial vote.
2015
Mmusi Maimane elected leader of the DA
The party makes further gains in the 2014 elections, with the DA winning 22.23% of the national vote and 89 seats in the National Assembly, and attaining another outright majority in the Western Cape with 59.38% – a testament to the party’s record of delivery in that province. And in 2015, Helen Zille announces that she will not accept nomination for leadership and at an historic Congress Mmusi Maimane is elected the new leader of the DA.
2016
DA wins Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay
The DA makes historic gains in the 2016 local government elections. In addition to governing the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape, the DA unseats the ANC to form governments in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay for the first time! Over 30 municipalities are now DA-led and 16 million South Africans currently experience some form of DA governance.
2019
DA retains Western Cape in most closely contested election in its history
Having grown considerably, professionalised and established a national footprint of good governance, the DA emerges from the most intense and closely contested election in the Party’s history; retaining the Western Cape and its role as official opposition in the National Assembly. The Party proudly defends the non-racial centre of South African politics in pursuit of One South Africa for All.
2021
DA turns a corner and sets sight on forming the core of a new majority in 2024
The DA realises a lifelong project as the ANC is finally brought below 50% at the 2021 Local Government Elections. Having focused on consolidation and stabilisation since the last election, analyses show that the DA is heading in the right direction to finally push off the yoke of ANC dominance. Wins include securing an historic first KZN municipality as well as receiving a strong mandate where the Party governs outright (in Cape Town, for example) to continue the Party’s good work.

To avoid the instability that hampered service delivery in some coalition governments over the previous term (including Johannesburg and Tshwane), the DA ensures that all coalition partners sign the Party’s Local Government Coalition Agreement with clear principles in place.

Over a third of the South African population now experiences some form of DA governance!
2022
Challenging Corruption
In 2022, the DA achieved two groundbreaking court victories against corruption. The first stopped the ANC/PA coalition in Knysna from using funds meant for local job creation to pay unlawfully appointed political staff.

The second resulted in a cost order against the ANC in the Cadre Deployment court challenge.
2023
United Opposition
In 2023, John Steenhuisen was re-elected as DA Federal Leader and established the Multi-Party Charter, bringing opposition parties together.

Additionally, DA court action successfully prevented Russian President Vladimir Putin from attending the BRICS Summit in South Africa.
2024
Rescue South Africa
Following the watershed national and provincial Elections in May 2024, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time in our democratic history, having only secured 40.1% of the vote. The ANC also failed to get an outright majority in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Northern Cape.

The DA under the campaign banner of ‘Rescue South Africa’ grew its electoral support to 21.8%, which resulted in the Party receiving more seats in Parliament and 6 provincial legislations. The DA retained the Western Cape Province, where it got an outright majority.
2024
DA Enters Government of National Unity
The DA formally joined the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the most significant election in South Africa’s history in 2024. After being sworn in for the first time at the national level, six ministers and six deputy ministers are now proudly serving the South African people.

This milestone marks a historic step forward in our mission to Rescue South Africa

History

1959

1961

1977

1989

1989

1999

2000

2004

2006

2008

2015

2016

2019

2021

2022

2023

2024

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