DA says Zille's age not a factor in the race for Joburg mayor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it doesn't believe age will get in the way of its mayoral candidate Helen Zille, after it nominated the former party leader to lead the race for Johannesburg. 

The DA unveiled the 74-year-old politician this weekend as its pick to run for the country’s economic hub at the upcoming local government polls.
  
If elected, Zille would become the oldest Johannesburg mayor in the country’s democratic history.  

READ: Helen Zille puts focus on local government basics in bid for Johannesburg mayorship

DA senior leader, Solly Malatsi, said her age and experience are an asset, not a liability.  

"She still has a lot of fire in her, and today for me, as someone who has also previously worked with her and get to encounter her more frequently. I was also amazed at the fire she still has. One thing that counts in her advantage is her experience. She's got an indefatigable spirit in her, and that’s what you need because whoever gets to be in Johannesburg, and for us we hope it's her. You are going to need political endurance to turn around that metro and deal with the likelihood of a multiparty coalition that’s going to emerge."