Main opposition party elects its first black leader

South Africa's main opposition group chose its first black leader at a party congress on Sunday, seeking to expand its appeal in a country whose rule has been dominated by one party since the first all-race elections in 1994.

Mmusi Maimane was elected by delegates of Democratic Alliance, who convened in Port Elizabeth. He replaces Hellen Zille, a white who is the premier of Western Cape province, the only one of nine South African provinces that is controlled by the opposition.

In a speech, Maimane said many South Africans are struggling under the burden of poverty, unemployment and economic inequality. More must be done to create jobs and promote small businesses, more than two decades after the end of white rule, he added.