<\/p>\n
The second-biggest political party in South Africa\u2019s ruling coalition has appointed a new leader as it gears up to contest municipal elections that look set to reshape the country\u2019s political landscape.<\/p>\n
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the 39-year-old Mayor of Cape Town, will take over the helm of the Democratic Alliance (DA) from John Steenhuisen, who has stepped down after almost seven years in office.<\/p>\n
Read:
Steenhuisen confirms he\u2019ll step down
Hill-Lewis to run for leadership of Democratic Alliance<\/p>\n
Hill-Lewis easily saw off a challenge from Sibusiso Dyonase, a little-know municipal councillor, at a party congress in Johannesburg on Sunday.<\/p>\n
In his acceptance speech, Hill-Lewis vowed to use the upcoming local ballot as a stepping stone to building the DA into the largest party in South Africa ahead of national elections in 2029.<\/p>\n
Listen\/read:\u00a0The DA\u2019s bid to broaden its appeal<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ambition must be to lead the national government,\u201d he told the cheering audience.\u00a0\u201cThat is the next chapter in our party\u2019s proud history.\u201d<\/p>\n
The DA won 22% of the vote in general elections in 2024, while the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since apartheid ended three decades earlier.<\/p>\n
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The two rivals then agreed with eight smaller parties to form a so-called government of national unity (GNU), with the DA allocated six posts in President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s cabinet.<\/p>\n
Read:
GNU unlikely to last, DA\u2019s Zille says
Ramaphosa urges ANC to act on policy as vote looms<\/p>\n
The coalition\u2019s commitment to prioritising growing the economy and safeguarding the constitution cheered investors and spurred a rally in the nation\u2019s assets. But internal relations have been rocky, with the two main parties sparring over a series of contentious laws, taxes and appointments.<\/p>\n
Hill-Lewis has signalled his support for the DA\u2019s continued participation in the government, but wants his party to have greater sway over policy and decision-making.<\/p>\n
He intends to seek another term as Cape Town mayor rather than take up a cabinet post \u2013 a decision he says will enable him to better differentiate the DA from the ANC because he won\u2019t be answerable to Ramaphosa on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder my leadership, the DA will fight every day to shape the direction of government so that it reflects our values. And that is why we must continue to oppose policies in the GNU that block our country\u2019s progress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cabinet shakeup?<\/p>\n
While the president has the prerogative to appoint his executive, the DA leader makes recommendations on its deployees, and Hill-Lewis\u2019s election may portend a shakeup in the allocation of posts.<\/p>\n
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Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen\u2019s election as chair of the DA\u2019s federal council, traditionally a full-time role, means he will likely have to be replaced.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2001, the DA controls Cape Town, the country\u2019s second-biggest city, and the surrounding Western Cape province outright.<\/p>\n
Its leadership shakeup comes before municipal elections that are expected to take place later this year and will be a key test of whether it can capitalise on public anger over a collapse of water provision and other basic services in ANC-run municipalities.<\/p>\n
One key battleground will be Johannesburg, the nation\u2019s economic hub, where former DA leader Helen Zille is running for mayor.<\/p>\n
Read:
Zille\u2019s mayoral run means she believes Joburg is fixable
\u2018I haven\u2019t had water for 24 days\u2019 protester tells Joburg mayor<\/p>\n
The party will also need to arrest declining support in parts of the Western Cape, where the Patriotic Alliance is making inroads into its voter base, with internal polling showing its backing in the province is slipping toward the 50% mark.<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a02026\u00a0Bloomberg L.P.<\/p>\n
#Easy #win #HillLewis #leader<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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