By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) officially confirmed that Geordin Hill-Lewis will continue in his role as Mayor of Cape Town, as municipal elections are expected to take place later this year.
Founded in 2001, the DA controls Cape Town, the country’s second-biggest city, and the surrounding Western Cape province outright.
The DA’s announcement formally launches Hill-Lewis’s bid to secure another five-year term as mayor and retain the party’s control of the City of Cape Town.
Speaking at the party’s campaign launch in Hanover Park, Hill-Lewis outlined a five-point plan centred on stronger policing, job creation, affordable housing, reliable municipal services and cleaner public spaces.
He said the city had made significant progress during his first term but warned against complacency.
“We cannot be complacent, we must keep moving Cape Town forward,” Hill-Lewis told supporters.
Hill-Lewis said the DA would continue investing in infrastructure and basic services, including water, sanitation, and electricity.
He said the city planned to reduce its reliance on Eskom by buying more electricity from independent producers, and would aim to replace 100km of fresh-water pipes and 100km of sewer pipes every year.
He also pledged tougher action against illegal dumping and littering, upgrades to parks, beaches, sidewalks, public spaces, and expanded cleaning services in informal settlements.
Hill-Lewis told party supporters that they should be judged on both its record and its promises.
He believes if the DA lost control over the city, its residents would suffer.
He said if the party wants to extend its nearly 20-year control over the metro, it must continue to engage residents about their concerns.
The DA officially launched its voter registration campaign in Cape Town as it appealed to its supporters not to become too comfortable and neglect to vote.
In the 2021 polls, the DA slid below the 60% majority it had enjoyed in the City of Cape Town in the two previous elections.
Another key test for the DA is whether it can capitalise on public anger over a collapse of water provision and other basic services in ANC-run municipalities.
One key battleground will be Johannesburg, the nation’s economic hub, where former DA leader Helen Zille is running for mayor.
According to a biography supplied by the party, Hill-Lewis holds a BCom in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) from the University of Cape Town. In addition, he has a Master’s in Economic Policy: Finance from the University of London.
Hill-Lewis is a long-serving member of the DA, having been part of the first DA Students Organisation at UCT. He has also worked as chief of staff to Helen Zille, a former Cape Town mayor and current DA chairperson.