My City: Helen Zille

A lifelong activist who enjoys a glass of wine, a view of the moon and the comfort of her Crocs

I am ... a person who does not like self- indulgence so I don't like answering questions that ask me what kind of person I am.

Where were you born? At the old Princess nursing home in Hillbrow, Joburg.

Where do you live? Our home is in Rosebank, Cape Town. We are currently in the Premier's residence in Leeuwenhof, Oranjezicht.

Who do you share your house with? My husband, Johann, and younger son, Thomas. There is a staff contingent at Leeuwenhof, and the house feels shared between all of us. It is just like living in an extended family.

How did you get into your career? Organically. I was a political journalist, then a political activist. After taking the government to court to fight the voluntary severance and redeployment scheme for teachers, I was asked by Tony Leon to revise the education policy of the then Democratic Party. And things moved from there.

What would you be doing if you weren't a politician? I would have liked to have been an advocate. I like logical argument.

You were a journalist in the late '70s. How did that experience affect the way you operate as a politician? Being a journalist laid the foundation for everything I have done since. It taught me that perception is often more powerful than reality; that there are always two (or more) sides to a story. I learnt how to get to the essence of an issue very quickly, but also understanding that you can never get to the full truth. I can do shorthand, and I know how to track down the experts in any field and to mine them for information.

What is the one thing that would make you leave politics? When my party gets a two-thirds majority.

If you were the president of South Africa ... I would do whatever it takes to promote equal opportunity through excellent education and economic growth so that people can get jobs. I would make it a priority to fix the criminal justice system, restore the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Judicial Service Commission. I would ensure that people are appointed on the basis of their "fitness for the purpose" of their job. If you appoint the right people in the right positions, the rest often looks after itself.

Who do you look up to? Women who are raising their children alone in dire poverty.

What is your response to those who believe Cape Town is a "white" city? People who think this clearly haven't been here, so I would invite them to visit our spectacular non-racial, cosmopolitan Mother City. I think people who tag Cape Town as "white" are racists because they cannot imagine that an African city can be as well run as Cape Town is. Our motto in Cape Town is Afri-CAN (in answer to Obama's "Yes, we can").

What do you do to relax? I have a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc while watching the full moon hanging over Devil's Peak.

Julius Malema is ... a product of Bantu education, as well as the ANC's cadre deployment and the failure of decent succession planning.

I'm predisposed to... taking the side of the underdog.

What's your favourite building in Cape Town? The Stadium. I am so relieved it turned out well.

What's the ugliest thing about Cape Town? The Tampax towers in front of the mountain.

What is the most memorable moment you've had in Cape Town? There are two: the birth of both of my sons.

How do you get around? My private vehicle is an Opel Corsa. My official vehicle is a car pool Mercedes 220 CDI.

I can't go a day without ... my cellphone.

If you inherited R100-million what would you do with it? I think I would spend some on myself. I have always longed to live in a house with sea and mountain views in Cape Town. I would ensure my relatives are cared for, and I would give a significant amount away to a good cause.

What CD are you playing in your car? There isn't a CD player.

If your house caught fire what would you save? Photos of my children as babies. And the old cine films I took of my children as babies.

What are your creature comforts? The softest dressing gown you can imagine. It's great for early morning work. I also love wearing my Crocs when I have been on my feet all day.

What are you reading? Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, Freefall by Joseph Stiglitz and The Million Rand Teaspoon by Nikki Ridley. It's a book about the descent of a teenager into chronic drug addiction, and what this does to a family.

When I go out at night ... I try to make sure someone else is driving.

I always collect ... litter when I am walking in the streets of Cape Town.

My friends and I like ... girl talk.

My most valued possessions are ... the two little diamonds my grandmother left me. My parents made them into a pendant when I got married. It symbolises the bond between generations and the importance of family.

Perfect happiness is: Having a purpose in the world, and working towards it.

Have you ever taken public transport in Cape Town? My house in Rosebank is next to a station and as an MP I sometimes caught the train to town and walked to Parliament. I also used to catch taxis to Claremont, but it became difficult when everyone started recognising me when I was the mayor.

Everything in moderation but ... you don't know what moderation is till you have experienced excess.

I met my partner ... at a function on July 18 1981 and fell in love with him while we were debating economics. The following night I met him again at the home of a mutual friend. We started discussing politics and economics. He asked for my number so that we could continue the debate. That debate has continued to this day.

If money could buy happiness ... there wouldn't be so many unhappy millionaires.

My little black book

The Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch021 685 7880

This is a wonderful, open, democratic space where I always feel comfortable and always enjoy the productions. It has been at the cutting edge of inclusive theatre in South Africa.

Mariam's Kitchen, St George's Mall021 423 0772

They have the best spicy toasted chicken in Cape Town.

Mamma Roma, Lakeside 021 788 2680

They have the best ribs and tiramisu.

Rondebosch United Church, Belmont Road, Rondebosch 021 685 4793

This is a church community where I feel nurtured and supported. My husband goes every Sunday. I go as often as I can, given my work commitments.

Keurbooms River, Plettenberg Bay

This is the place where we spend our holidays. It's full of treasured family memories and time with our friends. We were last there in December 2009, for 10 days, and had a lovely time.