'I rate Geordin Hill-Lewis very highly,' says Tony Leon amid uncertainty about Steenhuisen’s future
Former DA leader Tony Leon
Image: IOL
Amid mounting speculation about the future of Democratic Alliance federal leader John Steenhuisen, former DA leader Tony Leon has weighed in on whether Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has what it takes to lead the party.
Leon was asked on Newzroom Afrika about Hill-Lewis as one of the names emerging amid growing speculation that Steenhuisen may step aside.
Independent Media has previously reported that, with indications that Steenhuisen will not contest the party’s leadership race in April, attention has shifted to who could emerge as his successor.
DA leader John Steenhuisen may not seek re-election at the party's federal congress in April.
Image: File
Steenhuisen is expected to address a press briefing in Durban on Wednesday, amid reports suggesting that he will not seek re-election at the party’s federal congress in April.
“I have known Geordin since he was a schoolboy and I rate his political talents, his actual human talents very highly. I think he is remarkable and I am sure he would be a very effective leader of this party, in fact, of movements not just confined to the political arena. He has an unusual, I think very appropriate skills set," said Leon.
"But every leader has to go and earn his support. Even if it's a coronation, you have to go and prove to people that you are worthy of the leadership mettle that you get. Whether you get it through an election or you get it unanimously, you have to work every day to say the faith put on me as a leader is being reciprocated.”
Leon said there had been enormous speculation around the party’s leadership ahead of the elective conference.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and DA Gauteng Provincial Leader Solly Msimanga have emerged as frontrunners in the DA leadership race.
Image: Armand Hough and Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
IOL previously reported that political analysts say the leadership contest will test whether the party can position itself as a credible alternative government rather than a permanent opposition. At this stage, two names are emerging as likely frontrunners: Gauteng opposition leader Solly Msimanga and Hill-Lewis.
Party members confirmed to The Mercury that Msimanga and Hill-Lewis had been mentioned but said “the field is open”.
Other figures being mentioned include Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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