South African opposition elects first black leader

Cape Town: South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance yesterday elected its first black parliamentary leader as the party tries to shed its liberal white image and woo black voters.

Lindiwe Mazibuko, 31, defeated Athol Trollip who had held the position since 2009, the party said.

"We want to start to capture the hopes and the dreams of South Africa's people in parliament," Mazibuko said shortly after her election by the party's 83-member caucus.

Mazibuko said she was honoured by her election and pledged to grow the DA ahead of the next national elections.

"I will do everything in my power to grow the DA as we head towards the 2014 election," she said.

Mazibuko was elected to parliament in 2009 and is currently the party's national spokeswoman.