The 21st century belongs to cities, especially those of a rapidly urbanising Africa. South Africa experienced a historic change in city government in 2016, when three major metros changed political leadership. The realities that city governments must confront range from dynamic population growth to the potential presented by breakthroughs in digital innovations. In View from City Hall Patricia de Lille and Craig Kesson scrutinise the complexities of governing a growing city, including what it means to run a modern city with a particular historical context like Cape Town and the choices that must be made for a better future.

PATRICIA DE LILLE is the Executive Mayor of Cape Town. First elected in 2011, she was re-elected in 2016 with a two-thirds majority. She serves in numerous global leadership and advisory positions relating to cities, including on the Board of Trustees of the Global Covenant of Mayors. She previously served as a Member of Parliament for fifteen years after a career as a trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist.