Helen Zille
says thank you

Dear Friends

I am honoured and humbled to have been selected for the World Mayor Award 2008 by the panellists and voters who participated in the City Mayors poll. The news has brought a lot of positive momentum to Cape Town, and to all colleagues in the city’s local government.

The competition team has informed me that the decision was based on the number of votes cast and the credibility of the motivation given in support of these votes. I would therefore like to thank everyone who expressed their confidence in me and my team, and who put so much effort into their submissions.

I owe this honour to you, just as I owe my position as Mayor of Cape Town to the people of Cape Town who put me here. Winning this award has once again impressed upon me the great responsibility I carry as a representative of my city and its citizens. It has encouraged me to renew my efforts to serve this great city to the best of my ability. This award really acknowledges a team effort. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of my colleagues in the mayor’s office, in our party caucus, in my parliamentary office, among the officials of the municipality, and, most of all, my family, who have supported me through every challenge I have faced.

I would like to extend my greetings and congratulations to the other mayors who have also been nominated in this competition, especially the Honourable Elmar Ledergerber of Zurich, who received the World Mayor Commendation, my colleague in Johannesburg, South Africa, Amos Masondo, and other finalists. During my time in office, I have come to know some of these city leaders, and have benefited greatly from our interaction. In the years to come I look forward to meeting many more of you in order to share ideas and experiences in local government.

I would like to thank Tann vom Hove and his team for all the organization that lies behind this wonderful initiative. These awards motivate city leaders to aspire to implement – and create – international best practices of urban governance, for the benefit of the citizens they serve.

Helen Zille
Mayor of Cape Town
October 2008