By 
Dr Roy Jankielson will serve the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State for a third term after being re-elected to the position uncontested during the DA provincial congress on 31 January 2026, in Bloemfontein.
The DA gathered at the heart of the City, Mangaung Metro at the City Hall, painting the town blue with clear intentional messaging to the public. The congress attracted all DA members from across the province and some national figures including the DA Leader John Steenhuisen.
The DA in the province elected its new leadership ahead of the Local Government Elections this year. Positions that were up for grabs were that of provincial leader, provincial chairperson, deputy chairperson and provincial finance chairperson.
Dr Roy Jankielsohn was re-elected to his position uncontested. The other positions were filled as follows: Provincial Chairperson: Werner Pretorius: Deputy Chairpersons: Jafta Mokoena and Mbali Mnaba: Finance Chairperson: David van Vuuren (Uncontested).
During his acceptance speech, the DA Leader in the Province Dr Roy Jankielsohn made his intentions clear, that he and his party want to rule the City by the end of the local government elections.
“We host this congress at Mangaung City Hall because we will soon be in government in this Metro, and in many other municipalities across the Free State.
This blue hall today symbolises the future of the Free State! The blue team is committed to excellence and we have started our countdown to the 2026 Local Government Election Day.
As a political party, we exist to offer our people political alternatives during elections, and the people of the Free State are desperate for change. Our people have suffered enough, and we will continue to toil on their behalf so that they may reap the harvest of a blue electoral choice,” said the newly re-elected DA Leader.
Jankielsohn expressed confidence going into local government elections; he said the DA in the Free State remains firm and solid, united with a culture that allows for robust, open and constructive internal engagement in good faith, on a level playing field, and always with the welfare of their constituents in mind.
He said the DA is growing in the province as the party continues to address issues that affect the people in communities.
“The DA’s continuous growth in the Free State is based on our local issue-based focus on building consensus around our common objectives of an open society, sound transparent governance, reliable basic services, safe communities and creating opportunities for investment that ensures meaningful employment for all our people in the province.
We also remain committed to growing our own timber through our annual Future Leader’s Programme in the Free State that started in 2020. By nurturing and assimilating young talent into the DA family we build a strong foundation for a bright future. I thank our legislature staff, led by Geran Summersgill, for continuing to ensure that we have a purpose-driven programme and quality graduates every year,” said Jankielsohn.
