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Most disturbing to her, is that there are things entirely beyond her control: Personal relations within the ANC, the internal coup of the African Muslim party, and floor-crossing legislation that does not allow for long term comfort. But Mrs. Zille has decided to act as if she had an overwhelming majority, to take on the big issues such as housing, job creation and the 2010 soccer world cup now, and to create a clean, open and good government. This is especially important to her, because she believes the reason for Africa being poor is foremost bad government through nepotism, which leads to a collapse of political and economical systems, which in turn, fosters an environment for despotism. This is stated in “The shackled continent” by Robert Guest and underpins the DA’s policy to avoid a tendency leaning towards dictatorship.
On a personal level, Mrs. Zille has learned to develop a thick skin when confronted with bad press. Nowadays, she is quite happy that she kept her maiden name, and so are her boys. Helen Zille is convinced that what she does is right, and she has evidence to believe in positive change. It is rewarding to her, to be in a position that enables her to bring about change, it is her passion to do what she can. Nonetheless, the real stress comes from challenges she is faced with, that are impossible to meet. Here, she mentions the lack of housing for 400 000 people in the mother city. Realistically, she admits that whatever she does, it is unlikely to meet the desperate needs of the people.
She draws her inspiration amongst others from the 2nd US President John Adams because he had to face similar challenges. He too fought against division for a stable democracy, and witnessed the birth of the first multi party system in his country. As Mrs. Zille says, while reading Adams’ biography it becomes apparent which great personal sacrifices a life in politics requires, but it also becomes clear what a chance one is given to ameliorate the world. Adams is convinced that he must study politics and war, so that his sons will have the freedom to study mathematics and economics, in order to give their children the liberty to study art, literature, music, and other great human achievements. It is the foundation that needs to be solid, providing the stability that is a prerequisite to living a life, devoted to the pursuit of happiness. It is this foundation that must be built in South Africa, and of which Mrs. Zille understands her work to be part.
By the end of the speech the mayor has clearly charmed the ladies. Every body agrees that she completed her speech with such bravura that one can not help but wonder, whether speaking about herself wasn’t too bad after all for Mrs. Zille.
The First Lady also allocated half an hour for questions during which she addressed Cape Towns most pressing issues: The 2010 world cup, corruption, the housing backlog, Cape Town’s police and transport system, security and much more. She is eloquent, confident and judicious.
Before the mingling starts, Di Berrill, herself an ex-mayor of Cape Town gracefully walks onto the stage, warmheartedly thanks Helen Zille, and reads “imagine a woman, a woman who believes it is good to be a woman…” a poem dedicated to all strong women on this planet, which gives me goose-bumps and brings tears to Mrs. Zille’s eyes. The two women hold each other a long time, mayor to mayor, woman to woman, an understanding for the struggles the other has and had to face, the challenges that had and have to be mastered and the accusations that had and have to be fought, simply because they are a woman in a "man’s" job. When the honorary membership is offered to Mrs. Hellen Zille she accepts and thus becomes part of yet another powerful network that will play its part well during the next elections, which are around the corner.
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Writer Profile
Marcia C. Schenck
I am a junior studying International Relations, History, and African Studies in the United States, Mount Holyoke College. I was born and raised in Germany and South Africa.
I love learning more about South Africa. I volunteered at a local NGO and interned with the Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation last summer. This summer I spent in Geneva at the International Labor Organization. I am passionate about travelling, reading, and writing.
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