Geordin Hill-Lewis, the mayor of Cape Town, announced Friday that he will run for leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in South Africa’s ruling coalition.
The announcement follows outgoing party leader John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek a third term at internal elections scheduled for April, marking a significant shake-up ahead of local government polls later this year.
Speaking to supporters in Cape Town, Hill-Lewis, 39, said:
“Under my leadership, we will show, as we have shown here in Cape Town, that the DA governs well and governs for everyone.”
Hill-Lewis became mayor in 2021 and has positioned Cape Town — a major tourism and economic hub — as one of the country’s better-managed municipalities.
Political Context
The DA joined a 10-party coalition government after the 2024 general elections, when the long-dominant African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years. The ANC has faced widespread criticism over governance failures and corruption allegations, forcing it into what many describe as an uneasy coalition arrangement.
The DA, however, continues to grapple with perceptions that it primarily represents South Africa’s white minority. Addressing this directly, Hill-Lewis said the party must change how it connects with voters:
“Too often, people see us as distant. They feel that we speak at them, not with them. If we are going to grow, we must change that.”
The leadership race is expected to shape the DA’s strategy as it seeks to expand its voter base and strengthen its position within South Africa’s evolving political landscape.
Source: TRT Africa
