Cape Town mayor announces bid for leadership of South Africa's Democratic Alliance

CAPE TOWN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Friday launched his bid to become federal leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's second-largest political party in the ruling coalition.

"It's a decision that I've considered carefully. I am under no illusions about the road ahead should I be elected to this position, but with deep love for our country, I will work arm in arm with each of you to lead our country on the path to prosperity," Hill-Lewis said at the Elsies River Civic Center in Cape Town.

His announcement came after John Steenhuisen, the current DA leader and minister of agriculture, said earlier this month that he would not seek a third term at the party's upcoming national congress.

Hill-Lewis said it was the right decision for the DA, then South Africa's largest opposition party, to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the 2024 general elections.

"All of us agree that the GNU is the best chance our country has had in over two decades to reverse the decline," he said.

The DA is scheduled to hold its national congress in April, the first since it joined the GNU, when delegates will elect a new party leader. ■