Opposition divided about new President

By Mikhaila Crowie
25 September 2008

Rain clouds and stormy weather took a backseat in Cape Town as South Africa’s President was sworn in today.

Kgalema Motlanthle received 269 votes in Parliament yesterday and was declared interim President while main party rivals, The Democratic Alliance’s Joe Seremane received 50.

DA leader Helen Zille said the DA nominated Seremane because the ANC has taken someone who was not elected and they felt it was best to put out an alternative candidate.

Zille believes the division in the ANC will get worse.

“This is quite clear by the fact that they can’t even hold a single congress in the Western Cape. So we’re at the beginning of the era of fundamental realignment of politics in South Africa.”

Independent Democrats leader, Patricia De Lille, seemed more optimistic about the newly elected president and the ANC’s future.

“Like I said in Parliament, I have faith that he will certainly listen to the request of Judge Nicholson to establish a commission of enquiry into the arms deal.”

Motlanthe also announced his new Cabinet today.