City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says his gut tells him that the Government of National Unity (GNU) will survive at least the next two years.

Addressing the Cape Town Press Club this week, he said he was, however, unwilling to make any firm predictions on the future of the GNU beyond the end-of-year ANC elective conference in 2027, which was highly likely to see President Cyril Ramaphosa’s departure as party leader.

This could lead to the ascension of what Hill-Lewis’s party – the DA, currently a GNU member – views as a militant anti-GNU faction in the ANC.

“I think there is enough good will and commitment in the GNU at the moment to at least see it through till then,” said Hill-Lewis.

“I think we have a window of two years to make a really meaningful change in South Africa, and we cannot let that opportunity go.

“We have to use every single day to its maximum potential to get South Africa moving and growing.”

Responding to questions on his own future – with municipal and DA leadership elections looming large next year – Hill-Lewis said he would not stand against current DA leader John Steenhuisen, “who has my full support”.

He added, however, that he was “not ruling it out for the future”, despite “loving” his job as mayor.

“I find it extremely fulfilling.”

Cape Town was voted Best City in the world by global publication Time Out earlier this year. The ranking took into account aspects such as nightlife, food, safety and liveability.