Cape Town – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party’s newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) must demonstrate that the DA delivers cleaner, more effective and accountable government.
His remarks come ahead of the swearing-in of the party’s new executive team on Wednesday, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Hill-Lewis said the new appointments were carefully selected to show South Africans that the DA is capable of governing effectively and raising standards in national leadership.
“They will show that the DA governs better for all South Africans,” he said.
According to IOL, Hill-Lewis said the DA received a mandate from 3.5 million voters in the 2024 general election to bring higher standards, clean government, meaningful reform and improved service delivery to the national government.
He said those voters supported the party because they want a government that grows the economy, creates jobs, fights corruption, improves public services and governs in the interests of all South Africans.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the party’s new team in the Government of National Unity must prove that the DA delivers better government, insisting they have a clear mandate from millions of South Africans to raise standards in national leadership.
Read on… pic.twitter.com/imMbJo5HPW— IOL News (@IOL) July 1, 2026
The Presidency has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony for the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers will take place on Wednesday afternoon at the Media Centre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
According to Eyewitness News, the DA will retain six ministerial and six deputy ministerial positions in the GNU, with changes affecting two Cabinet portfolios and four deputy ministerial posts.
Among the changes, former DA leader John Steenhuisen has been moved from Minister of Agriculture to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Former Environment Minister Willie Aucamp will replace Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister, while former Member of Parliament and Western Cape MEC David Maynier will succeed Aucamp.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says he expects his new appointments in the executive to raise the bar in government and to deliver practical progress. https://t.co/6doRfS59ZB
— Eyewitness News (@ewnupdates) July 1, 2026
Hill-Lewis said the new team had been appointed to demonstrate the DA’s approach to governance.
“They will show that the DA governs better for all South Africans, and will work to get the economy growing to get more people into work,” he said.
The appointments come as the party faces scrutiny over reports that its ministers were lobbied by a communications firm headed by the DA’s founding leader, Tony Leon.
Meanwhile, the DA has rejected the return of Dina Pule as Minister of Social Development, saying it appears President Ramaphosa has prioritised the interests of the ANC Women’s League over the millions of South Africans who depend on social grants.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
