Helen Zille the new mayor of Cape Town

Helen Zillle has been declared the executive mayor of the City of Cape Town. She received 106 votes in a tense council meeting, with Nomaindia Mfeketo of the ANC receiving 103 votes. It seems that the ID voted with the ANC, while the small opposition parties voted for the DA candidate. In her acceptance speech, Zille emphasized the need for all parties to work together to improve the lives of Capetonians. She says the challenge for the city’s administration now is to ensure that the diversity of its inhabitants is not a weakness, but its greatest strength as the city faces challenges that can only be overcome through joint action. Zille’s speech was delivered in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa with racial reconciliation a major feature. She warned that corruption and nepotism would be dealt with swiftly and severely and that the needs of the poor would be her administration’s priority.

Earlier, Dirk Smit of the Freedom Front Plus was elected as speaker.