Jacques Smalle has been re-elected to lead the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo following the party’s provincial congress held in Polokwane over the weekend. He takes over the reins from Lindy Wilson, who led the DA in Limpopo from 2023.
The party’s provincial congress was attended by DA federal chairperson Solly Msimanga, Cape Town mayor and DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, as well as other senior party leaders.
Smalle will be assisted by Glenda Furumele, a councillor at Makhado Local Municipality, who will serve as deputy provincial leader. The newly elected provincial chairperson is Beyers Smit, who will be assisted by Portia Moropane as first deputy chairperson, Dingaan Motshwene as second deputy chairperson and Mashudu Mariba as third deputy chairperson.
Smalle began his political career in 2000 as a councillor in Oudtshoorn. By 2006, he was serving as a councillor and EXCO member at Makhado Municipality and remained in that role until his election to the Limpopo Legislature in 2009. Shortly afterwards, however, he moved to the National Assembly in 2010, where he served as a Member of Parliament.
In 2012, Smalle became the DA’s provincial leader in Limpopo, a position he held for more than a decade. Nationally, he also advanced within the party structures, becoming deputy federal chairperson of the DA in 2020.
Smalle’s career was briefly disrupted in 2021 when he was suspended from party activities amid allegations of financial misconduct and tax-related issues. After a lengthy internal disciplinary process, he was reinstated in 2023 after being found not guilty of the main charges.
After his reinstatement, Smalle returned to national and provincial roles, becoming a Member of Parliament again in 2023 and also serving as DA provincial chairperson in Limpopo.
In his acceptance speech, Smalle said the DA would continue targeting local municipalities ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in November. He added that the DA belonged to the people and not individuals.
“We believe in political morality. We are going to take over the government during the municipal elections and address the problem of poverty in the country,” he said.
Smalle said his mission was to ensure that the party becomes one of the strongest political forces in the province and the country.
“My sincere thanks to each and every delegate of the Democratic Alliance for placing your trust in me,” he said.