'My intention to run for Cape Town mayor isn't solely up to me' - Geordin Hill-Lewis
Geordin Hill-Lewis hangs DA election campaign posters in Long Street, Cape Town.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the DA Federal Leader, stated his “firm intention” to run for mayor of Cape Town, although he emphasised that the final decision is not his to make.
Hill-Lewis, who was speaking at the sidelines of the DA’s voter registration campaign in the Western Cape, along with the party's Metro Regional and Campaign Chair, JP Smith, said the announcement for the mayoral candidate will be made next month.
When asked if he will be announcing his own candidacy for Cape Town mayor, Hill-Lewis said, “Can you please ask the DA that? Because I am one of the candidates, I know this sounds like a joke, but it is 100% not a joke. I am not involved in the process because I am one of the candidates, so the matter must come to the DA's Federal Executive in the coming weeks, and then an announcement will be made towards the end of June.
“It's absolutely my firm intention to be the candidate, so I hope that that's what the DA's FedEx decides, but I won't be there for the discussion. I will have to excuse myself,” he said.
The DA have been steadily announcing mayoral candidates from across the province since March, and just this past weekend announced more candidates for Prince Albert, Linda Jaquet, and Theewaterskloof, Jan Visagie.
DA Western Cape Leader, Tertuis Simmers, said: “With less than six months until the Local Government Elections, these candidates are tasked to keep their towns working, for all.”
Geordin Hill-Lewis hangs Democratic Alliance (DA) election campaign posters in Wale Street, Cape Town, as the party launches its campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers.
When questioned about how he intends to manage campaigning as DA Federal Leader and running the City as mayor, Hill-Lewis acknowledged that his new role does take him away from the municipality he was elected to govern.
“It is a very difficult balancing act. At the moment, it's been a very, very hectic first month. I have been travelling quite a bit. But, as I set up the systems and processes and structures in both offices, get the diary under control, and plan exactly what I'm going to be doing."
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