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Geordin Hill-Lewis poised to take the reins as DA succession debate intensifies
In South African politics, leadership changes are rarely sudden. They simmer, shift, and slowly settle into place. That is the picture now emerging inside the Democratic Alliance, where Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is widely seen as the frontrunner to take over from current leader John Steenhuisen at the party’s April federal conference.
According to a former senior figure in the party who spoke anonymously, Hill-Lewis’s rise is not a last-minute development. It is something that has been quietly in motion for years.
A transition years in the making
The insider claims the groundwork was laid shortly after the departure of former DA leader Mmusi Maimane. When Maimane stepped down in 2019, the party was facing internal strain, high-profile resignations, and a broader identity debate. Steenhuisen stepped in during that difficult moment, first in a caretaker capacity and then formally as leader in 2020.
Within the party, Steenhuisen’s leadership is described by the former insider as stabilising but transitional. The view from that camp is clear: Hill-Lewis was always being positioned for the long game.
The claim is blunt. The former leader says Hill-Lewis was groomed for national leadership and strategically placed over time. Anyone contesting him, the source suggests, would face an uphill battle.
The DA has not publicly endorsed that version of events.
The Steenhuisen investigation and unanswered questions
Speculation has also swirled around Steenhuisen’s decision not to contest the upcoming elective congress. The former insider alleges that his withdrawal may be linked to an internal party process that cleared him of wrongdoing related to allegations of misusing party funds.
Those allegations were initially raised by former DA member Dion George, who accused Steenhuisen of misusing a party-issued credit card. The matter was referred to the party’s Federal Legal Commission, which conducted a preliminary investigation. The commission found no prima facie evidence of misappropriation, and the Federal Council later adopted the report.
At the time, Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille said the expenditure had been fully reconciled and that any limited personal expenses were explained and reimbursed.
The DA has maintained that its governance processes are independent and follow established procedures. It has not confirmed any alleged arrangement tied to Steenhuisen’s future role or benefits.
The Cape Town factor
Hill-Lewis’s political profile has grown steadily. He served as a Member of Parliament before becoming Mayor of Cape Town, one of the DA’s strongest electoral strongholds. Earlier in his career, he was chief of staff to Zille during her tenure as Western Cape premier.
That relationship has long fuelled talk of influence and factional backing. Zille, now chairperson of the Federal Council, has repeatedly denied orchestrating Hill-Lewis’s rise. She has framed his trajectory as a result of his own competence and performance.
Still, her consistent public praise of the Cape Town mayor has not gone unnoticed. Within political circles, perceptions matter as much as formal endorsements.
What Hill-Lewis himself has said
Hill-Lewis has previously made it clear that he would not challenge Steenhuisen while he remained in the race. Last year, he stated that he had no intention of standing against him as long as Steenhuisen wished to run.
Now that Steenhuisen is not contesting, the path appears more open.
A party looking beyond crisis mode
For many observers, this moment signals the DA’s attempt to shift from crisis management to long-term strategy. After Maimane’s departure and the exit of several prominent Black leaders, the party faced serious questions about direction and representation. Steenhuisen’s tenure steadied the organisation, but internal debates about ideology and electoral strategy have not fully disappeared.
If Hill-Lewis does secure the leadership, it would represent a generational pivot within the party’s upper ranks. Whether that translates into broader national appeal is another question altogether.
The claims are likely to intensify internal debate within the party as the April federal conference approaches. For voters, however, the bigger question may be what direction the party takes next and how its leadership choices translate into national strategy.
As April approaches, the DA’s federal conference is shaping up to be less about surprise and more about confirmation.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
