Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayor of Cape Town has openly defied the South African government’s stance on Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. Hill-Lewis spoke to the media outside the Cape Town City Hall which his administration had decided to light up in the colours of the Ukranian flag.

Hill-Lewis heads the City of Cape Town’s administration as a representative of the Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party in South Africa’s parliament. Both the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town are under the political control of the Democratic Alliance, whereas national government is under the control of the ruling African National Congress headed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa today abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution to demand Russia withdraw from Ukraine. President Ramaphosa has previously stated that South Africa favours a mediated solution and will not take sides in the conflict.

Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayor of Cape Town has openly defied the South African government’s stance on Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. Hill-Lewis spoke to the media outside the Cape Town City Hall which his administration had decided to light up in the colours of the Ukranian flag.

Hill-Lewis heads the City of Cape Town’s administration as a representative of the Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party in South Africa’s parliament. Both the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town are under the political control of the Democratic Alliance, whereas national government is under the control of the ruling African National Congress headed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa today abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution to demand Russia withdraw from Ukraine. President Ramaphosa has previously stated that South Africa favours a mediated solution and will not take sides in the conflict.