Geordin Hill-Lewis not ruling out pursuing the DA's top job

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is not ruling out going after the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s top job.

However, he says he will never go up against the incumbent - John Steenhuisen. 

Speaking to the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, Hill-Lewis was coy about any leadership ambitions he might have once his term as mayor ends next year. 

While the DA’s next elective congress is only a little more than a year away - Hill-Lewis says it’s too soon to contemplate his future in the party.

Political commentators say the debate over the longevity of the Government of National Unity (GNU) - is strongly linked to the succession battles within the country’s two biggest parties. 

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Hill-Lewis predicts the GNU will survive at least until the ANC’s next elective conference when anti-GNU factions within, might show their hand. 

“I think there’s enough goodwill and commitment inside the GNU at the moment to at least see it through until then. I think we probably have a window of two years to make a really meaningful change in South Africa, and we can’t let that opportunity go.”

Whether Steenhuisen will seek a third term as DA leader - is yet unknown. 

But Hill-Lewis says his loyalty towards his friend will preclude him from going up against him – if Steenhuisen decides to stand again. 

“I’m certainly, certainly not going to stand against him. There’s no universe in which that is possible. That will not happen. I hope that’s unambiguous.”

For now, Hill-Lewis says he loves his job as mayor - and he’s not ruling out seeking a second term in next year’s local government polls.