DA rising star Liam Jacobs silently joins PA
by Mathipa Phishego
In a major political defection that has sent shockwaves through the South African political landscape, Liam Jacobs, a former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament, has officially joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA), led by controversial firebrand Gayton McKenzie. The move, confirmed late Friday afternoon, comes on the heels of a heated exchange between Jacobs and McKenzie during a parliamentary portfolio committee earlier this week. The confrontation, which insiders described as “tense but telling,” now appears to have been a public prelude to private negotiations.
Jacobs, once touted as a rising star within the DA’s student wing and known for his eloquence on youth and governance issues, was spotted in Johannesburg on Friday morning donning the unmistakable green and gold of the PA. According to Eyewitness News (EWN), sources within both parties suggest that talks had been quietly underway for several weeks, accelerated by Jacobs’ growing frustrations within the DA. “I felt increasingly undermined and politically sidelined. It became clear that my voice no longer had a place in the party I once believed in,” Jacobs reported told close associates.
Patriotic Alliance welcomes Liam Jacobs, who is marked as a prominent rising political star
image: Gayton McKenzie/Twitter (X)
The DA has yet to issue an official response. Senior figures within the party are said to be in emergency talks following the announcement. Jacobs’ defection marks the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the DA, which critics say is struggling to retain black and colored leadership in its upper ranks. The Patriotic Alliance, meanwhile, was quick to seize the moment. In a brief celebratory statement, the party called Jacobs “a courageous young leader unafraid to take a stand,” and indicated that he would be taking on a strategic leadership role within the PA’s national communications team.
McKenzie, known for his populist rhetoric and hardline stances on immigration, capital punishment, and radical economic reform, welcomed Jacobs personally in a video shared on social media. “We do not care where you come from if you are ready to serve the people, there is a place for you in the PA,” McKenzie said on X.
The defection could have broader implications for the fragile Government of National Unity (GNU), in which the PA plays a supporting role. Jacobs’ move signals a realignment of younger political voices seeking influence outside traditional party structures.
“This is not just a party switch; it is a political statement. Jacobs’ move is emblematic of a generational shift underway in South African politics. As speculation swirls about who might be next to cross the aisle, all eyes are now on the DA’s leadership, whose silence today spoke volumes,” said political analyst Thandi Mokoena.