Liam Jacobs returns to DA after brief stint with Patriotic Alliance

Announcement and reasons given

Jacobs, 25, made the announcement in a Facebook Live broadcast. In the session he reflected on a period of “personal and political introspection” and described how the last month had been motivating for him. He said:

“The past month has been what gets me going in the morning and what brings me to politics… We are taught that this country is all we have, regardless of the colour of our skin. We have each other, and it comes back to why we are in this space; we are here to defend.”

Political background

Jacobs holds an Honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pretoria. He rose to prominence as leader of the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) from 2022 and was elected to the National Assembly representing Gauteng in the 2024 general election.

Less than a year ago he defected to the Patriotic Alliance. He joined the PA in a late-night Facebook Live announcement on 13 June 2025. While with the PA he served as president of the Patriotic Youth Alliance and was announced as the PA’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town in the 2026 local government elections. He also briefly served as a City of Johannesburg councillor, replacing Kenny Kunene, who resigned after being found at the home of a murder accused when police arrived to make an arrest.

Home is where the heart is. Welcome back, Liam Jacobs! 💙

A new chapter with familiar roots!#KomPadToe pic.twitter.com/tcVZ6QoSVZ

DA Western Cape (@WesternCapeDA) June 1, 2026

Message on values and party politics

In his broadcast, Jacobs said his decision to return was rooted in a re-examination of his values. He asked whether his political career “is in line with my values” and warned against “politics of cadre deployment and Zuma politics in another form,” adding:

“It should be the politics where everybody holds hands, politics of the heart, and it is that which is going to change this country.”

He was direct about the DA’s role, saying:

“The DA is the only party serious about defeating the ANC.”

DA response

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed Jacobs back on social media:

“Welcome home. It’s amazing to have you back in the DA… It would be a mistake not to expect anyone to make mistakes. You have to learn and grow. When you left, Helen said something very profound, that you are a young man who is very talented, and as often, she was right. This is not about me, Liam, or Tertius. It’s about making our country succeed.”

According to IOL (Independent Online), two senior DA party sources said Hill-Lewis made the case for Jacobs’ return as a consultant during an online meeting on Sunday evening.

Looking ahead

Jacobs said international travel had reshaped his perspective:

“International travel is important. You discover who you are outside of who you are. You discover your values.”

His return to the DA marks a notable reversal in his short, high-profile political trajectory ahead of the 2026 local elections.