WESTERN CAPE PARLIAMENT ELECTS ZILLE AS PREMIER

UNCLAS CAPE TOWN 000105

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SF
SUBJECT: WESTERN CAPE PARLIAMENT ELECTS ZILLE AS PREMIER


1. (U) On May 6, at the same time that the first session of the
National Parliament was taking place, so was the inaugural session
of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. During the session Helen
Zille was elected and sworn in as Premier of the Western Cape.

2. (U) Cape High Court judge Dennis Davis, standing in for Acting
Judge President Jeanette Traverso presided over proceedings. As in
the National Assembly, members of the 42 seat provincial parliament
were sworn in prior to the election of the Premier. Zille and DA
provincial leader, Theuns Botha were in the first group to be sworn
in while COPE member, Allan Boesak was the last to take the oath.
The atmosphere was one of general excitement, as DA members
exclaimed that this is what they have worked for. The DA unseated
the ANC from the province in last month's general election,
relegating the ANC to the opposition benches for the first time in
years. ANC members were, however, upbeat as the swearing-in
continued, making wisecracks and friendly interjections.

3. (U) The DA went into proceedings with a 22 seat majority over the
14 ANC, 3 COPE , 2 ID and 1 ACDP seat and was expected to dominate
proceedings. The election for the Speaker of the Western Cape
Provincial Parliament was the first order after members were sworn
in, with the DA's candidate being Shahid Esau, while the ANC
nominated Phillip Jacobs as their candidate. Esau was elected as
Speaker for the Provincial Parliament while Richard Majola of the DA
was elected Deputy Speaker. Nominations for the Premier were then
called upon, unsurprisingly the DA nominated Zille, while the ANC
proposed Lynne Brown as an alternate candidate. Members then cast
their vote by secret ballot, proceedings were adjourned and votes
were counted. Zille secured 24 voted and Brown 14, in a reversal of
events that took place in the National assembly COPE refused to
support the DA candidate and spoilt its ballots.

4. (U) Opposition parties congratulated Zille and Cosatu Western
Cape issued a statement congratulating her on her appointment and
promised to co-operate with the provincial government to fast-track
service delivery. The trade union, however, added that "Cosatu wants
to let the premier know that we will be watching her closely and
will hold her to account". In her congratulatory speech ANC
provincial leader, Lynne Brown, said her party would be a loyal, but
"very strong" opposition. In her acceptance speech Zille highlighted
the core values that would be vital under her governance, namely
honesty, and defining, accepting and meeting the responsibility of
office. She added that the DA "will govern for all the people of the
Western Cape, in all our rich diversity. We will be a government for
all the people." After the swearing-in ceremony, Zille briefed the
media about her plans for the Western Cape. Zille reiterated the
importance of responsible citizenship and transparency of
government. She stated that her priority as Premier was to ensure
that the systems and structures of government were appropriate and
working. She stressed that it was important to have the right people
in the right places and that sound leadership and guidance be given
at all times. Zille is expected to announce her cabinet by May 8.