Will Hill-Lewis pursue DA leadership as Western Cape mayoral candidates are unveiled?

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has confirmed that he has been approached by members of the Democratic Alliance to stand for the party’s federal leadership, following John Steenhuisen’s announcement that he will step aside.

“After John Steenhuisen’s announcement yesterday, I have been approached by many party members to stand for the position of Federal Leader,” Hill-Lewis said.

He cautioned, however, that the DA’s internal campaign rules prohibit public campaigning until the formal nomination period opens later this month.

“That will happen later this month, which is when I will announce my intentions,” he said.

Hill-Lewis emphasised that, regardless of the outcome of the leadership process, he remained committed to seeking a second term as mayor of Cape Town.

“Whatever is decided, I will remain committed to stand for a second term as the Mayor of Cape Town. It is the DA’s biggest government and our strongest platform as we head into the local elections,” he said.

Media attention on Hill-Lewis intensified on Thursday as journalists anticipated clarity on whether the DA would confirm its mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town, amid speculation that his future role within the party could influence the process.

Instead, the DA used the occasion to announce the first tranche of mayoral candidates across the Western Cape.

DA Western Cape provincial leader Tertius Simmers, speaking to the Cape Argus, said the party’s candidate selection processes were proceeding independently and according to established timelines.

“I’m very proud to announce eight of our 30 mayoral candidates, hailing from three of our five districts,” Simmers said.

“This will also lead us into the announcement of the next group, which will be within the next five to 10 days. Ultimately the big announcement will be our candidate for the City of Cape Town, which will happen between the middle and end of March.”

Simmers said the party was waiting for internal processes to conclude before formally alerting the media.

Asked whether the announcement of Cape Town’s mayoral candidate would be affected by the DA’s federal leadership contest, Simmers said the processes were separate.

“These processes aren’t influenced by any sort of congresses. Even if an aspirant mayoral candidate might be contesting for such a position, it’s a separate process,” he said.

The DA confirmed that the mayoral candidates announced on Thursday were Gina Duimpies for Beaufort West, Antoinette Steyn for the Cape Winelands District, October Haarvoor for the Central Karoo District, Gerald Boezak for Hessequa, Joslyn Johnson for Kannaland, Levael Davis for Knysna, Aletta Theron for Laingsburg and Dr Annelie Rabie for the Overberg District.

In a statement, Simmers said the announcement marked the DA’s readiness to take its “offer of hope” to communities across the province ahead of the local government elections.

“Where we govern, these candidates will build onto our track record of delivery. Where we do not govern, these candidates represent an opportunity for voters to get their towns working like only the DA can,” he said.

Addressing the announcement in Cape Town, Steenhuisen said his decision not to seek a third term as federal leader was based on his belief that he was handing over a party in a stronger position.

“I am stepping aside precisely because I have achieved my goal for the party: to take us into national government and grow our support base,” he said.

He pointed to the Western Cape as the clearest example of DA governance, citing job creation, investment growth and service delivery in DA-run municipalities.

Hill-Lewis said he would welcome a leadership contest grounded in ideas rather than personalities.

“If I do stand for election as DA Leader, I would welcome a robust and principled process focused on competing ideas for the future of our party and our country,” he said.

“We have many excellent leaders, and an open exchange of ideas can only strengthen us.”

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Cape Argus