Pretoria - Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) election observers have congratulated the country on conducting a free and fair election saying
this was a positive factor for investor and business confidence.
"The BUSA observer mission, which participated in the monitoring of a large number of voting stations, has reported that overall the elections were free and fair.
"The fact that a free and fair election has again taken place in SA is in itself a positive factor for investor and business confidence," said BUSA in a statement on Thursday.
The organisation which represents South African business on macro-economic and high-level issues said it would be a high priority for business to engage with the new government as soon as possible on the prospects for renewed growth in the economy.
The BUSA Observer Mission was headed by BUSA Vice-President Buhle Mthethwa and comprised representatives from BUSA member organisations.
BUSA further commended the Independent Electorate Commission (IEC) on conducting a successful election.
"Notwithstanding the shortages of ballot papers and ballot boxes which caused delays in some voting stations, the cooperation between party agents and IEC officials allowed for speedy resolutions of those challenges," said BUSA.
There are 333 observers currently in South Africa, some from the Southern African Development Community and include former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
