Will Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis ever run for president?
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stopped by Breakfast with Martin Bester during his visit to Gauteng.
While visiting Gauteng, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to talk about South African sport and politics, his views on Trump and world politics, and politician Helen Zille's run for Johannesburg mayor.
As always, there was also a whole lot of banter and Cape Town versus Gauteng talk.
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Helen Zille and the 'hair dryer' phone calls
The conversation took an amusing turn when Martin Bester brought up Helen Zille, a political powerhouse in her own right, and her 'hair dryer" phone calls.
Hill-Lewis recounted an inside story from his time as Zille's chief of staff, where phone calls were humorously referred to as the "hair dryer" because of Zille's intensity.
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"You could hold the phone here and still dry your hair with it," he chuckled, highlighting the legendary assertiveness that Zille brings to her role.
Views on Trump
Shifting gears, the mayor shared his thoughts on international affairs, particularly speculative political strategy discussions around Donald Trump and Venezuela.
Hill-Lewis was especially critical of any superpower assuming a might-is-right approach on the global stage.
He remarked on the dangerous precedent set by countries leveraging their strength inappropriately, emphasising the importance of a rules-based international order.
Addressing a light-hearted question about Greenland, he sternly noted, "No, you cannot do that," underscoring the folly of whimsical territorial expansion.
South African politics
On the home front, Hill-Lewis touched on the robustness of South African politics, describing it as a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable arena.
He expressed confidence in Helen Zille's campaign for Johannesburg, calling her a "force of nature" capable of kick-starting the city's turnaround.
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With local elections on the horizon, speculation about potential polling dates sparked interest among listeners, further engaging the audience in the country's political discourse.
Addressing Cape Town's poverty
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to accusations levelled at the Democratic Alliance concerning its focus on wealthy areas over impoverished ones.
Hill-Lewis countered this narrative, citing statistics that position Cape Town as the leading provider of state housing over recent decades.
He acknowledged the persistent challenges but maintained a focus on tangible improvements for residents in underprivileged communities.
"Our biggest priority is to get more people out of poverty and into work," he affirmed.
The Tyla moment
The mayor also shared a personal anecdote about running into South African artist Tyla at Cape Point, a moment that delighted his daughter.
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This sparked a playful conversation about celebrity encounters and his mistaken belief that Tyla was from Port Elizabeth.
Presidential ambitions
When asked about potentially running for president, the Cape Town confidently responded with a "yes".
He expressed his continued passion for politics and a desire to leverage his roles for the country's betterment.
Hill-Lewis emphasised his strong commitment to Cape Town, discussing ongoing projects aimed at improving infrastructure and quality of life in informal settlements.
His visits to various cities to research innovative sanitation solutions reflect his hands-on approach to governance challenges, further underscoring his dedication as a public servant.
Through this engaging and informative conversation, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis showcased his multifaceted engagement with both local needs and broader political issues, leaving listeners with plenty to ponder about the future of Cape Town and South Africa.
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