Black Challenger Threatens ANC Across South Africa's Racial Divide

Young, charismatic and pro-business, South Africa's first black opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane, could be the poster boy for the racially inclusive, socially equal "Rainbow Nation" envisioned by the late Nelson Mandela.
Unfortunately for Maimane, two decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa is still racially divided, starkly unequal and his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is struggling to shake off its image as a white, elitist movement.
Maimane, who won a DA leadership race last month, believes he can overturn deep-rooted perceptions about his party and end the dominance of the African National Congress.
"It's important for symbolism to have a black leader," Maimane, who is married to a white South African, told Reuters.