Government will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady and ensured sustained growth, newly elected President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech to the National Assembly after being sworn in by Chief Justice Pius Langa, Motlanthe said it was not his desire to "deviate from what is working".

"It is not for me to reinvent policy. Nor do I intend to reshape either Cabinet or the public service.

"We will not allow that the work of government be interrupted. We will not allow the stability of our democratic order to be compromised.

"And we will not allow the confidence that our people have in the ability of the state to respond to their needs to be undermined," he said.

Government remained on course to deliver on its commitments to the poor, who relied on it daily for the fulfilment of their basic needs and for the provision of important services like health, education, and social security.

"We remain on course to halve unemployment and poverty by 2014.

"We remain determined to stamp out crime, violence and abuse, whomever it affects and wherever it manifests itself.

"We remain committed to building safer communities and protecting the vulnerable in our society from abuse.

"But in doing so, we need all our people to work with, and within, the criminal justice system so that together we stamp out crime," Motlanthe said.

"We are here to assure all those on our continent and in the world that we will continue to meet our international obligations."

South Africa would continue to play a positive role within international institutions and forums, and provide whatever assistance where possible in the pursuit of peace, security, democracy and development in Africa.

"We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FIFA World Cup ever - An African World Cup.

"We fully expect to meet every commitment our nation has made to the football world.

"In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth," he said.

Government would intensify the all-round effort to accelerate the rate of growth and job creation, and ensure that the benefits of growth were equally shared by all.

In the spirit of building a united democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa, he looked forward to a
constructive relationship with all parties within the Assembly, even as preparations for next year's elections began.

"I hope to benefit from the critical eye that a vibrant and alert opposition brings to politics.

"At this moment in our history, as we stand poised to make still further advances towards the achievement of a better life, it is as important as ever that we stand united as a nation.

"It is as important as ever that we retain our faith in the resilience of our constitutional order and the vibrancy of our democracy," he said.

Motlanthe gave his sincere thanks and appreciation to outgoing President Thabo Mbeki.

"I know that I speak on behalf of all the people of this country when I say that we have been privileged to have you as our President these last nine years.

"There is no value that we can place on the service you have rendered to your country, nor any tribute that can adequately capture your contribution to building this nation.

"For all that you have done for South Africa, for our continent and for the advancement of the global community, we remain forever indebted," he said.