For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Geordin Hill-Lewis considers running for leader of DA; DA announces W Cape mayoral candidates; And, Tau heads to China, seeking duty-free export access

Geordin Hill-Lewis considers running for leader of DA

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said he was considering running for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance, the second-biggest party in South Africa's coalition government.

Current DA leader John Steenhuisen yesterday announced that he would not seek re-election at a party leadership contest in April, prompting speculation about who will take over.

Political analysts consider Hill-Lewis, who has served as mayor of Cape Town since 2021, is a favourite for the post.

Hill-Lewis wrote in a statement posted on X that following Steenhuisen's announcement yesterday he has been approached by many party members to stand for the position of Federal Leader.

Hill-Lewis said he would only confirm whether he would run for the DA leadership later this month, in line with internal party rules on when public campaigning can start.

DA announces W Cape mayoral candidates

The Democratic Alliance today announced eight of its 30 Western Cape mayoral candidates ahead of the upcoming local government elections, assuring that the candidates are “fit for purpose”.

The DA governs the majority of the 30 municipalities in the Western Cape, including the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.

DA federal chairperson Dr Ivan Meyer said these candidates were “capable, competent” and understood their local communities.

He explained that all politics are local, and candidates must be familiar with local issues, such as water, sanitation, refuse collection, public transport as well as house and health matters in their local communities.

The candidates went through a “thorough” selection process, he assured.

And, Tau heads to China, seeking duty-free export access

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau will travel to China from today to Saturday to sign the China–Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, which will see South African exports gain duty-free access to the Chinese market, Tau's office said.

South Africa is seeking to boost exports amid a tariff row with the United States, its second-largest bilateral trading partner after China.

US President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US in August, the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa.

Tau's trip to China "comes at a time when South Africa is pursuing an objective of market diversification and export growth," his office said in a statement.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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