Would Geordin Hill-Lewis want to stay on as Cape Town mayor if elected DA leader?

Geordin Hill-Lewis, who has rapidly emerged as one of South Africa's rising political figures, recently spoke to Breakfast with Martin Bester about his potential candidacy for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA). His name has been making waves in the media, particularly after he made himself available to stand for the DA leadership.

Hill-Lewis was candid in explaining that while his decision to step forward had been unexpected, it was one he felt he had to make. "You don't get to choose your timing in life," he said. "If we waited for the perfect moment, we'd miss a lot of opportunities, so I had to go for it."

His decision came after DA leader John Steenhuisen announced in April that he would not seek re-election, leaving the leadership position open. Hill-Lewis reflected on Steenhuisen’s difficult choice, acknowledging the significant pressures the former leader was under, particularly with the ongoing agricultural crisis affecting the country. "His first loyalty must be to getting the country through this crisis," Hill-Lewis remarked, referring to the devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Generational change in the DA

When asked about potential competitors for the leadership role, Hill-Lewis acknowledged that, as of now, he was the only official candidate. However, the nomination period remains open for another three weeks, and he noted that there was still much to play out. "There's a lot more to happen," he said, adding that although informal discussions might be taking place within the party, each candidate would ultimately be running on their individual merits.

Hill-Lewis expressed enthusiasm about the generational shift underway within the DA. "What excites me is that a number of younger people are stepping up," he said. "We are seeing a fresh wave of leadership, which is exactly what South Africa needs."

He further emphasised that the country's future is in the hands of the next generation of leaders. "Young people are going to inherit this country," Hill-Lewis continued. "We want to leave it better for our kids and their kids. If that's going to happen, we need to get involved now."

Leadership based on merit

A strong advocate for leadership based on merit, Hill-Lewis reflected on his own political journey, recalling his decision to run for parliament at just 24. He believes that the country’s future should not be limited to those waiting until their later years to take on leadership roles. "You don't need to wait until you're in your sixties to take a leadership position," Hill-Lewis explained. "Just back yourself."

The conversation then turned to Hill-Lewis's recent public endorsement from President Cyril Ramaphosa during his January 8th address, which surprised Hill-Lewis as much as it did the public. "At first, I thought, 'Oh no, he's probably taking a swipe at me,'" Hill-Lewis laughed. "But when I checked, I realised the president had made my year with what he said."

The future of Cape Town and national politics

A key topic during the interview was whether Hill-Lewis would retain his position as mayor of Cape Town if he were to become DA leader. He explained that while it was a tough decision, he would want to keep his mayoral role, if possible. "Being a mayor, especially in a big city like Cape Town, is one of the coolest jobs in South African politics," Hill-Lewis said. "A mayor has a huge power to make positive change, and I’ve loved every minute of it, even the tough parts."

However, Hill-Lewis acknowledged the challenges of holding both roles simultaneously, particularly when it comes to the potential conflicts of interest that might arise. "I don't want to be in a position where I owe the president anything," he explained. "I want to be able to speak my mind freely, without him being my boss." For that reason, he believes it would be unwise to hold both the mayoral and national leadership positions at the same time. "At this stage, I think it's better to remain independent from the national cabinet."

Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 – 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.

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