As Geordin Hill-Lewis of the DA prepares for his role as mayor of Cape Town at the tender age of 35, his detractors will no doubt use his age as a battering ram.
He is, however, the perfect age as he was born in a new era. When SA became a true democracy in 1994, Hill-Lewis would have been about 7- or 8-years old.
He would have schooled and made friends with kids of all race groups. He would have played sport with all race groups.
At university he would have mixed and been exposed to all race groupings in the lecture rooms and on the sports field.
Who then is better equipped to understand the intricacies and challenges facing the country than one who grew up watching the imbalances, the unfairness, the huge divide between rich and poor, the immorality of racism, the plight of the homeless than Hill-Lewis?
He was born into a democracy and comes with no baggage and no preconceived ideas.
His eyes are wide open and he will be aware of what needs to be done in order to reverse the many imbalances that exist.
Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the DA-run uMngeni Municipality in KZN.
Chris Pappas - 30 years old.
Sandile Mnikathi - 26 years old.
This is the team that will lead the project to rebuild uMngeni into the vibrant, growing, and inclusive place it needs to be. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/6JRpVcipsQ
Even firebrand Julius Malema of the EFF who can ad lib a speech for an hour is barely out of his 30s.
The political landscape is turning to young leaders. The years of the old guard shouting the odds from the rooftops are gone as no one is listening.
The municipal elections have turned out to be a watershed moment in the country.
People want change and this change starts with young smart talented people picking up the ball and running with it.
This is happening all over the world.
Sunna Marin, the prime minister of Norway is 36-years old, Jacinda Ardern New Zealand, 41, Emmanuel Macron of France, Carlos Alvarado Quesada of Puerto Rico, Andrii Goncharuk of Ukraine … all in their 40s.
We are living in a new world – a world of change with young people putting their hands up. Let’s give them a fair chance.
* Colin Bosman, Newlands.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
Do you have something on your mind; or want to comment on the big stories of the day? We would love to hear from you. Please send your letters to [email protected].
All letters must have your proper name and a valid email address to be considered for publication