Cape Town – Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced his candidacy to become leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), aiming to succeed current leader John Steenhuisen, who has indicated he will not seek re-election.
Hill-Lewis made the announcement in Elsies River on Friday, as the party opened nominations ahead of its April federal congress.
Hill-Lewis, who has served as mayor of Cape Town since 2021, previously worked as an MP and as chief of staff to a former DA leader.
In his statement, he said he felt a strong sense of duty and optimism about South Africa’s future, expressing confidence that the country “can work” and that he wants to contribute to making that possible.
“I would also like to say thank you very much to the many people, colleagues and friends who have reached out to me and expressed confidence over the past few weeks.
“I do not take your words lightly. I feel a strong sense of duty — a responsibility I cannot ignore,” Hill-Lewis said.
“But most of all, I feel that same passionate energy and optimism that has guided our work here over the last few years.
“I feel that same passion and energy, and that same sense of hope, for our country and its future. I know, we know, that SA can work.
“And I want to help make it so. That is why it is with a sense of pride and excitement that I announce today that I am standing to be the next leader of the DA.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
