Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announces bid to lead Democratic Alliance
Image: Henk Kruger
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially thrown his hat into the ring to lead the DA, confirming on Friday that he will run to succeed John Steenhuisen as the party’s leader.
His announcement in Elsies River comes as the DA officially opened nominations for its top leadership positions ahead of its federal congress in April.
Steenhuisen, who has led the party since 2020, indicated earlier that he would not stand for re-election.
He currently serves as agriculture minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was formed after the previous national elections produced no outright majority.
The DA is the second-largest party in the GNU after the ANC.
Hill-Lewis has been Cape Town’s mayor since 2021.
Before becoming mayor, he served as an MP and previously worked as chief of staff to former DA leader Mmusi Maimane.
Speaking on Friday, Hill-Lewis said: "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.
"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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