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| 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, 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. |
| She said that the tweets were "insensitive to South Africans". | She said that the tweets 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. | |
| 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: | |
| 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. | |
| 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". | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |