Helen Zille, the mayor of Cape Town and leader of the Democratic Alliance, has been awarded the 2008 World Mayor prize by City Mayors.
The awards are handed out by the international urban affairs think tank, City Mayors, and aim to raise the profile of mayors as well as to honour those who have made “long-lasting contributions to their communities and …

In his first speech as South African president, Kgalema Motlanthe pledged to create jobs and cut the nations large-scale poverty whilst remaining committed to Mbeki’s pro-business economic policies.
Speaking to the nation on Sunday, Motlanthe aimed to reassure big business and his leftist allies by saying South Africa would “remain true to the course that we have set” through focusing …

South Africa’s third post-apartheid president will be sworn in on Thursday and it is expected that it will be ANC deputy leader, Kgalema Motlanthe, with parliamentary speaker Baleka Mbete appointed as the country’s deputy president.
Respected for his level-headed approach, Motlanthe is known as “the elder one” in political circles because of his calm demeanour in even the toughest political arenas, …

“Gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience. Our strength as a people is not tested during the best of times.”
“We should never become despondent because the weather is bad, nor should we turn triumphalist because the sun shines.”
Those were the wise words of outgoing President Thabo Mbeki as he thanked South Africa’s people for …

Cape Town and Johannesburg citizens can be proud of their respective Mayors today. Both Helen Zille and Amos Masondo have been voted into the group of 50 finalists for the 2008 World Mayor Awards.
The pair beat out 820 nominated Mayors from around the world to take their places among the 50 finalists of the awards. If either were to win, …