Pretoria - Dedicating the African National Congress’s victory to former President Nelson Mandela’s memory, President Jacob Zuma on Saturday pledged to move the country forward.
He said the ANC was humbled that South Africans had yet again chosen the party to govern the country.
“The ANC will be humble in its victory. We will form a government that will serve all the people of our country, regardless of who they voted for. We must now unite and work together to move South Africa forward,” he said in his victory speech at the announcement of the final results on Saturday evening.
The party received 11 436 921 votes (62.15%), which equals to 249 seats in the National Assembly.
President Zuma said the victory also reaffirmed that the ANC remained “the only true hope for the majority of our people, particularly the poor and the working class”.
“We are particularly moved by the fact that we accept this overwhelming mandate from our people on an important day in our country’s history.”
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the day on which former President Mandela took the oath of office as the first President of a free and democratic South Africa.
President Zuma said the new government will use its majority to implement policies and programmes that further improve the quality of life of all, especially the poor, as outlined in their 2014 Manifesto.
Towards a better future
This, he said, will see government continuing with the delivery of water, electricity, roads, schools, clinics, good schools, human settlements to people in both urban and rural areas.
“The new mandate is also a licence to continue with our ambitious infrastructure build programme, and ensure the provision of better roads, universities and colleges, hospitals, dams, railway lines and power stations that boost economic and social development,” he said, adding that this would also boost skills development and the economic empowerment of the youth.
The new administration, the President said, will also give the green light to implement the National Development Plan and to promote inclusive economic growth and job creation.
He used his address to also thank the IEC for conducting successful elections, although there were minor logistical challenges. He also addressed leaders of political parties.
“To those who did not make it, losing is part of the democratic process.”
He also thanked the African Union and SADC election observer missions, saying their participation has contributed to the consolidation of democracy, in line with the AU mission of entrenching democracy and good governance throughout the continent.
Acknowledgement was also given to the 18 million South Africans who went out to cast their votes, especially senior citizens, whom he said had set a good example for first time voters and demonstrated just how important the right to vote was.
The President also acknowledged the co-operation of communities that had been identified as hotspots, such as Marikana in the North West, Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape and Bekkersdal in Gauteng.
“They proved commentators who predicted apathy wrong,” he said, adding that the issues they have raised will be addressed by the new government. – SAnews.gov.za
