NATIONAL NEWS – As expected, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Democratic Alliance's (DA) federal leadership position.

The announcement, made this morning at the Elsies River Civic Centre amid a gathering of party supporters and leaders, comes on the heels of John Steenhuisen's decision earlier this month to step down after six years at the helm. 

Hill-Lewis, widely seen as a frontrunner due to his successful tenure overseeing South Africa's best-governed city, positioned his campaign as a blueprint for national renewal.

Steenhuisen's resignation, announced on 4 February, marked a pivotal moment for the DA, the second-largest party in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Citing internal pressures and controversies, including allegations of financial impropriety (from which he was cleared), Steenhuisen chose not to seek a third term at the party's April congress.

His departure has opened a competitive race, with other potential candidates like Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga also speculated to enter. The leadership transition is critical for the DA, which aims to grow its voter base ahead of the 2026 local elections and position itself as the largest party by 2029.

In his speech, Hill-Lewis made unity and practical governance a focus point, drawing on Cape Town's successes in infrastructure, job creation, and service delivery.

"South Africans are united by a simple but urgent desire to live in a country that works,” said Hill-Lews. “A country where you can walk safely in your own neighbourhood, where basic services such as water and electricity work, and where every person has a job."

He said good governance is not a miracle. “It’s a choice, and every South African deserves it. Our party’s track record in the City of Cape Town shows that decline is not inevitable and that good government can significantly improve people’s daily lives."

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