Helen Zille: South Africa's vigorous voice of opposition
Robust and charismatic opposition leader Helen Zille South Africa is one of the most powerful women in the nation.
When she was elected leader of the Democratic Alliance in 2007, Zille has concentrated its efforts to broaden the appeal of his party.
To challenge a longstanding political power, as the African National Congress (ANC) - which took about 66% of the vote in last general election in 2009 - Zille wants to move his party away from being treated merely as a political home for white liberals in South Africa.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which has a strong base of support among white South Africans of mixed race, won 16% of votes nationwide two years ago.
"Growing the basis of a political party on the basis of a political philosophy and set of values is very difficult in a racially divided, where people tend to see politics as a choice between different racial groups, says she said.
Less leadership Zille, the DA has become a vocal opponent of the ANC, led by President Jacob Zuma.
Before the 2009 elections the party firmly opposes Zuma presidential bid, with the tip Zille DA to the legal campaign against the abandonment of his corruption case.
investigative journalist, first in the political arena, Zille has made its name in 1977 when he exposed as activist Steve Biko died in prison during the apartheid police.
His story in the liberal Rand Daily Mail refuted the version of the plan that Biko's death was the result of a hunger strike and was regarded as a watershed for South Africa when he emerged as one of the episodes darkest in its history.
"I have no doubt that that policy would have taken a turn quite different had he lived, and he was led, and when he died in captivity, we all knew that a critical moment, which was, and we all understand that a big cover up was in progress, "Zille said.
Growing the base of a political party on the basis of a political philosophy and set of values is very difficult in a racially divided.
Shortly after the rupture of history Biko Zille left journalism to become a political activist. She has worked in various non-governmental and human rights groups, including the Black Sash, a women's movement for civil rights.
Later, he joined the DA and became the mayor of Cape Town, 2006 - marking a first loss for the ANC in South African city. In May 2007, Zille was elected DA leader of the party and in 2009 became the first minister and the Western Cape Province.
Although Zille admits that winning the election in a big city like Cape Town and a Western Cape is like a big improvement for the prosecutor, who is determined to make greater profits.
"We have to build this democracy. And democracies, especially in our continent, have failed because too much power concentrated in too few hands, has been abused and has directly led to corruption and criminal status. We shall not in the South Africa. "
His energetic attitude towards Zuma has not been without controversy. Zille and ANC leaders have often exchanged bitter words, and she was ridiculed in the national media. But Zille said she is not affected by severe criticism.
If there is anything she says such attacks show that the DA is becoming a threat to the ANC. And with local elections scheduled for later this year, "said Zille it prepares to face the harshest criticism she had ever known.
"This year we are going to 2011 will be as brutal as anything you can imagine, and I have a sword to myself in the face of attacks that I've never had before," he says.