Meet the mayor: Part 3/5
In a world full of beautiful and vibrant cities, Cape Town reigns supreme according to Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
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In the third part of our exclusive interview with Hill-Lewis, the mayor explains what he loves about the Mother City and how there are few, if any, places on earth that can even be considered a comparison.
New York, London and other major centres may have their appeal, but the mayor believes that Cape Town has far more to offer than these iconic metropoles.
‘Cape Town is an incredibly interesting city because of its wonderful diversity and very rich history, starting with colonial conquest, the history of slavery, international shipping and as a commercial centre,’ Hill-Lewis explained during an interview at his home in Edgemead.
‘It has grown into this melting pot that competes with all the other major international melting pots, like London and New York.’
‘Cape Town is just as diverse as that, if not more so.’
‘That already makes it special, but when you add the biodiversity and natural heritage, you really get a wonderful city.’
‘It’s an immensely beautiful and interesting people, which is what makes it such a wonderful city to live in.’
When asked if there were any other cities that he might consider making his home one day, Hill-Lewis said that this was highly unlikely as Cape Town was generally beyond compare.
‘It’s very difficult to think of a place that could come close to Cape Town when it comes to quality of life and in terms of what the city offers,’ he explained.
‘For a totally different experience, I would probably choose London because it is such a melting pot, with a wonderful collection of cultures from around the world, giving it a great energy and a great vibe.’
‘However, it still doesn’t come close to Cape Town in terms of lifestyle.’
Like London, Cape Town boasts several stunning parks, wonderful museums and a diverse cultural experience.
However, it is what the English capital lacks, including wine farms, beaches, and, of course, Table Mountain, that Hill-Lewis believes makes Cape Town a very special place.
‘I love good wine so a visit to the Constantia and Durbanville wine valleys is always a treat for me.’
‘I’m quite partial to Durbanville because I live right here and there are some truly amazing spots.’
‘Obviously, I love the mountain which has ample beautiful spots to explore.’
‘We also have incredibly beautiful parks, like Green Point and De Waal Park, along with many others.’
‘Like many Capetonians, I also love our beaches and oceans. These are just some of the many beautiful places that people can enjoy for free.’
In the penultimate part of our series, we look at the mayor’s personal contingency plans for loadshedding, Day Zero and the safety and security of his home and family.
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Picture: Monique de Beer Photography