Cape Town budget speech overshadowed by ANC defection, Speaker motion drama

By Johnathan Paoli

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has pressed forward with a budget designed to address the city’s most pressing challenges, mainly infrastructure deficits, crime and economic stagnation.

Hill-Lewis delivered the city’s 2025/26 budget announcement, known as the ‘Invested in Hope’ budget amid significant political developments.

These included the shock defection of the ANC’s former opposition leader to the ruling Democratic Alliance (DA) and the failure of a motion of no confidence against the Speaker

Despite the drama in council, Hill-Lewis went on to highlight the city’s hopes in developing and expanding through targeted investment.

“In the case of our city, the biggest balancing act is between our bold plans to build the Cape Town of the future, the city that we know will be able to handle the substantial growth that is headed our way, and the need to shield our most vulnerable residents from the enormous financial