DA Elects New North West Leadership and Names Professor Theo Venter as JB Marks Mayoral Candidate
- Karen Scheepers
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Following the Democratic Alliance (DA) North West Provincial Congress held this past weekend, the party has officially set its leadership and municipal strategy for the 2026 election cycle. As of February 9, 2026, the party has transitioned from its convention to active campaigning, centered around a newly elected provincial executive and the mayoral candidacy of Professor Theo Venter for the JB Marks Municipality.
New Provincial Leadership Confirmed
The congress, which took place in Potchefstroom, resulted in the election of a leadership team tasked with overseeing the party’s "Ready to Govern" initiative throughout the North West. The following officials were confirmed to lead the province:
Position | Name |
Provincial Leader | Freddy Sonakile |
Deputy Provincial Leader | Luan Snyders |
Provincial Chairperson | Carin Visser |
Deputy Provincial Chairperson | Erna Rossouw |
Provincial Finance Chairperson | CJ Steyl |
This executive body will be responsible for the party's regional operations and financial oversight as they prepare for a competitive local government election season.
Strategic Mayoral Nomination for JB Marks
A cornerstone of the party’s announcement was the introduction of Professor Theo Venter as the Mayoral Candidate for JB Marks. The DA has positioned Venter as a candidate capable of bringing academic rigor and professional expertise to local governance.
His professional background includes:
Executive Advisory: Former Special Advisor to two Vice-Chancellors at North West University.
Sector Excellence: Recognized as Agriculturalist of the Year in 2015.
Academic Standing: A recognized academic and former fellow of North York University.
Provincial Leader Freddy Sonakile noted that the selection of a candidate of this caliber signals a serious intent to challenge for administrative control of the municipality. Professor Venter is expected to begin a comprehensive tour of the JB Marks Municipality this week.
Final Thought
As the 2026 local government elections approach, the emergence of this new leadership collective marks a pivotal moment for the North West political landscape. With a blend of seasoned academic expertise in Professor Venter and a refreshed provincial executive, the party appears to be prioritizing administrative experience as its primary value proposition to the voters of JB Marks. Whether this strategic pivot translates into success at the polls remains to be seen
All image credits: Glenville Boeda Fransman
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