Kingdom Mabuza

The Independent Democrats said it hoped the newly-elected leader of the DA, Helen Zille, would change the image of the party from obstructive politics to politics of engagement.

Leader of the ID Patricia de Lille yesterday said the constitution placed obligations on government and opposition parties to transform and reconstruct the country.

"We hope Zille will carry out this constitutional mandate and put the common vision of our country first," said De Lille.

PAC spokesman Mudini Maivha said it would be interesting to see how Zille repositioned the DA.

"We wish her luck in making the DA a majority party," he said.

Maivha added the DA had been known for "protecting the interests of the minority white group"

Young Communist League spokesman Castro Ngobese said the election of Zille proved that the party would forever remain white.

"But we believe that her election might provide a turn-around strategy in the DA's political approach as compared to the tenure of Tony Leon," he said.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) congratulated Zille on being elected leader of the party.

FF+ leader Pieter Mulder said that tensions within the ANC had caused the leading party to become "increasingly arrogant".

He said the task of the opposition political parties such as the DA and FF+ had, therefore, become more important.

Additional reporting by Sapa

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