Key South African Coalition Member Gets New Leader as Vote Looms

The second-biggest political party in South Africa’s ruling coalition appointed a new leader as it gears up to contest municipal elections that look set to reshape the country’s political landscape.

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the 39-year-old mayor of Cape Town, will take over the helm of the Democratic Alliance from John Steenhuisen, who stepped down after almost seven years in office. Hill-Lewis easily saw off a challenge from Sibusiso Dyonase, a little-know municipal councilor, at a party congress in Johannesburg on Sunday.