This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40258949

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
South Africa's Helen Zille makes unreserved apology for tweets South Africa's Helen Zille makes unreserved apology for tweets
(35 minutes later)
Helen Zille, the ex-leader of South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), has publicly apologised for her tweets saying there were some positive aspects of colonialism. Helen Zille, former leader of South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), has publicly apologised for her tweets saying there were some positive aspects of colonialism.
She said that the tweets were "insensitive to South Africans". She said her comments in March were "insensitive to South Africans".
Ms Zille will step down from all party leadership positions but remain the premier of Western Cape province.Ms Zille will step down from all party leadership positions but remain the premier of Western Cape province.
The row threatened the DA's popularity, which is trying to extend its appeal amongst black people.The row threatened the DA's popularity, which is trying to extend its appeal amongst black people.
Party leader Mmusi Maimane said the deal will help DA focus on the 2019 election.Party leader Mmusi Maimane said the deal will help DA focus on the 2019 election.
He said the party chose to avoid a protracted legal battle and instead seek reconciliation.He said the party chose to avoid a protracted legal battle and instead seek reconciliation.
Ms Zille had tweeted in March that colonialism was not only negative: Ms Zille had tweeted that colonialism was not only negative:
Her tweets caused public outrage forcing her to apologise at least three times with the DA bowing to political pressure to suspend her last week. The comments caused public outrage forcing her to apologise at least three times with the DA bowing to political pressure to suspend her last week.
But today at a press conference with Mr Maimane she said she apologised "unreservedly".But today at a press conference with Mr Maimane she said she apologised "unreservedly".
Ms Zille read a prepared statement saying her comments were "indefensible" and "insensitive to South Africans who suffered from colonial oppression".Ms Zille read a prepared statement saying her comments were "indefensible" and "insensitive to South Africans who suffered from colonial oppression".
Analysis: The naughty child - Milton Nkosi, BBC Africa
Helen Zille looked like a naughty school child sitting next to her headmaster as she apologised for her controversial tweets.
The apology and the deal that will see Ms Zille relinquish her party leadership positions has somewhat restored Mmusi Maimane's authority as leader.
There is however no doubt that this controversy damaged the DA's long-term project to unseat the governing African National Congress (ANC) in 2019.
Many black South Africans who backed the DA after becoming disillusioned with the troubled ANC felt offended by Ms Zille's earlier attempt to defend the tweets.
The question is whether black DA voters, who were ridiculed for being subservient following Ms Zille's tweets, will continue to support the party.
She also said she had "undermined" Mr Maimane saying that he is the leader of the party and "we must all get behind his leadership".She also said she had "undermined" Mr Maimane saying that he is the leader of the party and "we must all get behind his leadership".
BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen reports that Ms Zille, who was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement, has been accused by critics of damaging his leadership.BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen reports that Ms Zille, who was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement, has been accused by critics of damaging his leadership.
Mr Maimane said he found his colleague's tweets offensive but added that she should continue with her government job - running the Western Cape Province.Mr Maimane said he found his colleague's tweets offensive but added that she should continue with her government job - running the Western Cape Province.