Hard work pays off for new Premier

By Mikhaila Crowie
6 May 2009

Today saw the swearing in of Helen Zille as the new Premier of the Western Cape today.

The party has 22 seats in the Provincial Parliament, while the African National Congress obtained 14 seats.

The newly formed Congress of the People obtained 3 seats while the African Christian Democratic Party received only one seat.

Proceeding started as indicated at 11am. The atmosphere was one of general excitement, as DA members exclaimed that this is what they have worked for.

The ANC threw a spanner in the works when they nominated Lynn Brown as their candidate for Premier.

However after proceedings were adjourned and members cast their vote, it was established that Helen Zille would be the Premier.

The election for the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament also took place, with the DA’s candidate being Shahid Esau.

Not to be left out, the ANC nominated Phillip Jacobs as their candidate.

After another round of voting, Esau was elected as Speaker for Provincial Parliament while Richard Majola of the DA was elected Deputy Speaker.

Finally the Premier gave her acceptance speech, highlighting the two core values that would be vital under her governance- honesty, and defining, accepting and meeting the responsibility.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Zille briefed the media about her plans for the Western Cape.

Zille reiterated the importance responsible citizenship.

“The truth about responsibility is that each person can only take their own, that’s the truth.”

Zille added that the country needs a culture where they feel committed to fulfilling the responsibility of citizenship.”

However the newly elected Premier was very coy about the new administration, only revealing that the province will know by Friday.