Hill-Lewis: I have been approached by members to stand for DA leader
City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Image: File
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.
“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.”
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.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen and Western Cape provincial leader Tertius Simmers address the media in Cape Town following the announcement of the party’s first tranche of Western Cape mayoral candidates.
Image: Murray Swart/ Cape Argus
“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.
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