DA Policy Conference Backs People First Agenda and 2026 Manifesto

The Democratic Alliance (DA) held a policy conference this week which resulted in a number of resolutions and policy positions.

Following the conference, DA leader John Steenhuisen said in a statement that the gathering of MPs, provincial legislators, senior party members, municipal councillors, and branch representatives had refined and adopted the next phase of the party’s policy proposals, with a core emphasis on putting ordinary South Africans at the centre of decision making. He said the conference reaffirmed the DA as a party that delivers services where it governs, is united around improving lives and livelihoods, and builds every policy around the needs of the public.

Steenhuisen said delegates had approved key position documents including a new environment policy that aims to protect South Africa’s water, air, biodiversity, and natural resources while also promoting economic opportunities linked to conservation and green industries.

The conference also tabled a health policy that backs universal health coverage but rejects the African National Congress (ANC) proposal for National Health Insurance (NHI) that would nationalise the private healthcare industry, warning that NHI could collapse the health system and bankrupt the state. The DA said presenting a patient-centred alternative would extend coverage without endangering fiscal stability.

The party also used the conference to consolidate its stance on immigration and borders, calling for lawful, well-managed, and humane immigration supported by secure frontiers and efficient Home Affairs systems.

Delegates further considered the DA’s 2026 manifesto framework built around combatting crime and corruption, creating jobs, and basic service delivery, which the party said is a blueprint for professional, accountable, and financially disciplined municipalities which are able to restore services where governance has failed.

The DA recently proposed reworking South Africa’s empowerment laws to base them on actual socio-economic disadvantage and not race. Polls show that this policy has been very well received by the voting public.

Steenhuisen thanked the DA’s policy staff for what he described as rigorous research and drafting that underpins the party’s claim to be a government in waiting, and praised delegates for bringing voter concerns into the policy process. He said that where the DA already governs, residents see clean administration, working services, and real opportunities, and pledged that with a stronger mandate the party would extend what it calls good governance, freedom, fairness, and opportunity across South Africa as the country heads towards its next local government elections to be held about a year from now.