PRODIGAL PROTÉGÉ: Former DASO Leader Liam Jacobs Ditches McKenzie’s PA, Reinvents Political Career with DA Return
BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA
JOHANNESBURG — In a major political twist ahead of the high-stakes 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially welcomed back its former youth star and Member of Parliament, Liam Jacobs.
Jacobs has dramatically resigned from Gayton McKenzie's Patriotic Alliance (PA), just under a year after his high-profile midnight defection to the green mamba party on Youth Day 2025.
From Rising Star to Defector and Back Again
Jacobs’ political journey over the last few years reads like a fast-paced political thriller. His rapid shifts across the South African political spectrum showcase a highly fluid career:
A Former Chairperson of the DA Students Organisation (DASO) at the University of Pretoria,
Jacobs was fast-tracked into the National Assembly following the 2024 general elections.
However, in June 2025, he stunned the blue party by defecting to the PA,
claiming at the time that he felt "used" by the DA.
McKenzie immediately leveraged the young politician’s profile, deploying him to replace Kenny Kunene as a City of Johannesburg Councillor and naming him as the PA’s provisional mayoral Candidate for Tshwane.
The DA Statement: 'A Road of Chaos and Criminality'
The DA’s leadership has pulled no punches regarding Jacobs' brief tenure under Gayton McKenzie, stating that his return is a direct rejection of the PA's political culture.
"Liam Jacobs left the PA because he saw firsthand that the PA never delivers on promises," the DA said in a celebratory welcome-back brief. "People sometimes take the wrong road. What matters is whether they are willing to correct course and recommit themselves to the work of building a better South Africa. That is a sign of maturity and braveness."
The DA characterized the PA's internal environment as a school of "Chaos, personality cults, and empty promises," positioning itself by contrast as a steady, inclusive political home.
Rebuilding Burnt Bridges
The DA's leadership explicitly stated that it is moving past old grudges to consolidate its base ahead of the upcoming municipal polls, taking a clear swipe at traditional, vindictive political mindsets.
No More Grievances: "We do not and will never subscribe to the school of politics that says once a bridge is burnt it can never be repaired."
A Bigger Alternative: The party insisted that South Africa needs an alternative that is "bigger than division, and bigger than any individual."
| Politician | Previous Role (DA) | Intermediate Role (PA) | Current Status (2026) |
| Liam Jacobs | Leader of DASO / Member of Parliament (Gauteng) | City of Joburg Councillor / PA Youth Alliance Leader | Rejoined the DA as an ordinary member/activist |
Liam Jacobs' re-enlistment into the DA significantly disrupts the PA's campaign momentum for the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.
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