Patricia de Lille has reclaimed her leadership position within the GOOD party, emerging triumphant following the conclusion of the party's national policy conference over the weekend. 

De Lille, with a lifelong dedication to activism and politics, shows no signs of relenting as the party gears up to participate in the upcoming national and provincial elections next year.

She is the minister of tourism in President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet. 

"My fight in politics has always been to deal with this toxic masculinity, having still been the only woman leader of a political party in Parliament. It always gives me that energy and inspiration to continue. I hope sincerely to see young women emerge in politics. It's not easy to lead but it can be done," she told News24 in a wide-range interview after her re-election.

Following a spat with the DA, De Lille formed GOOD in December 2018 and contested the national elections in 2019. The party scored two seats in Parliament and one seat in the Western Cape legislature.

De Lille said the party has been testing the waters in what she calls "non-traditional areas".

"Like the by-elections in Nyanga, Cape Town, where we came second to the ANC and we contested another ward in Tshwane in Pretoria. When we are looking to the future, we should not look at the colour of the voter, we must be issues-driven and this election coming up will be about local government issues... We are growing steadily and it's a work in progress," she said. 

'Moon shot'

Earlier this year, the DA established a "moonshot pact" aimed at rallying opposition parties behind a bid to oust the ANC ahead of next year's general elections. 

The group, since renamed the Multi-Party Charter (MPC), consists of ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, ACDP, United Independent Movement, Spectrum National Party and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation.

De Lille told News24 she has no interest in joining the MPC.

"If you see this so-called moonshot pact as a development in our country, I don't. Because all my life I fought against apartheid and a system that was declared a crime against humanity. We have achieved our democracy, and today still to fight against each other ... it's not politics, it's rubbish. They want to bring a minority back in charge again so they continue with their divisive tactics. I will never join it and I don't need it at all," she said.

GOOD wrapped up its first national policy conference on Saturday. The conference saw Brett Herron retain his position as secretary-general of the party. 

De Lille rebuffed speculation that the party was facing internal factionalism. 

"It's not true, there is no factionalism in the party. The conference settles the scores and I see it as robust campaigning," she said.