Newly elected Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says that the Democratic Alliance (DA) will rule for all the people of the province.

Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town shortly after assuming office, she rejected any form of alliance or coalition with the African National Congress (ANC).

"Will we draw the opposition into our administration? The answer is, that we will look towards building inclusive government and a realignment of politics to create an alternative to the ANC.

"So, we are certainly not going to go into an alliance or a coalition of any kind with the ANC. But that does not mean to say we will not govern for all the people."

When a government was elected, it had to govern for all the people because there was a separation between the party and the State.

"That does not mean that when one party comes to office, even on a narrow margin... they should not govern for all the people," she said.

The DA wrested control of the Western Cape away from the ANC in last month's election, winning just over 50% of the vote.

On her party's relationship with the ANC in the province, which has in the past been acrimonious, she said the Constitution defined the rules by which opposition parties should play.

"If the ANC understands that, we will have no problem with tough opposition," she said.