SA opposition elects black leader

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has elected its first black leader.

Mmusi Maimane, 34, succeeds Helen Zille, who resigned unexpectedly last month.

He faced party chairman Wilmot James for the job, and was elected at a party conference in Port Elizabeth.

The DA has long battled perceptions it is a white party representing those who benefited from apartheid, the BBC's Andrew Harding says.

The party increased its share of the vote in the 2014 elections, but has struggled to present itself as an alternative to the ANC, who have governed South Africa since the end of apartheid.

Zille herself has suggested the party needs a black leader if it is ever to unseat the ANC, our correspondent adds.

Maimane's supporters have been dancing and singing praise for him outside the party congress. Photo: AFP

She told the Citizen newspaper she was "relieved" to no longer be leader, but would continue to campaign for the party.

"I will do what the new leadership would like me to do without trying to lead from behind and interfering," she said.

Maimane has advanced quickly in the party, only joining the DA in 2009.

Critics say he is too young and inexperienced to break the ANC's grip on power.

Who is Mmusi Maimane?

- Born 1980, in the Soweto township of Johannesburg, where Nelson Mandela lived for many years

- Studied at universities in South Africa and Wales, holding Masters Degrees in theology and psychology

- Met his wife Natalie, a white woman, at church, telling iol.co.za "it took time to accept stereotypical responses"

- Speaks six languages

- Spends his weekends preaching in a Johannesburg church

- Worked in business consultancy before entering politics

-  As DA parliamentary spokesman, he attacked President Zuma over his controversial Nkandla residence