Event: Geordin Hill-Lewis

Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis. Photo: Supplied Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced his candidacy for national leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), positioning himself to succeed outgoing John Steenhuisen before the party’s upcoming congress in April. Hill-Lewis made the announcement on Friday in Cape Town, weeks after Steenhuisen confirmed he would not seek re-election. The decision clears the way for a leadership contest at the DA’s federal congress where delegates will elect a new leader. Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink endorsed Hill-Lewis, describing him as a leader who had taken “difficult decisions standing up for the rule of law” despite political pressure. “He stood up for what was right,” Brink said, adding that Hill-Lewis brought “intellect, competence, the experience of government” and the ability to unite a “diverse party” around shared values. “It is my absolute pleasure today … to nominate, to propose for the leader of the Democratic Alliance, Geordin Hill-Lewis,” Brink said. “We are not just presenting a candidate to lead the party here today. We are presenting a candidate to lead the country.” Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube also backed Hill-Lewis, telling party members that the DA was a growing force in local, provincial and national government. “We did not enter government for comfort. We entered government to rescue the country,” Gwarube said. She said the party had restored “stability and credibility in national government” and pointed to what she described as positive economic indicators, including four-consecutive quarters of economic growth and an upgrade by S&P for the first time in 20 years. “The polls are showing growing confidence in our party. Now more than ever, we must be resolute in our mission to be the largest party in local government and in 2029.” On backing Hill-Lewis, Gwarube said: “I did so deliberately, I…