Date: 23/04/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Election of T Mbeki as President-elect by the National Assembly


ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE ELECTION OF ANC PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI AS PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, Cape Town, 23 April 2004

Madam Speaker
Honourable President-elect
Honourable Members
Distinguished guests
The People of South Africa.

It gives me great pleasure to address this august House, on this wonderful occasion of the election by this House, of our Honourable President, Thabo Mbeki as the President-elect of the Republic of South Africa.

It is a wonderful occasion because the election of the President takes place against the background of a massive vote of confidence in the ANC by the people of South Africa, giving the ANC an increased majority on April 14th.

The overwhelming mandate from the electorate is a display of confidence not only in the ANC and its policies, but in its President, who has over the last five years of leading our country, taken South Africa to greater heights through his outstanding leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life of the people of our country, especially the poor and marginalized.

On your election today Zizi, the representatives of the people of South Africa are re-confirming the confidence that the people have in you and the ANC, because of the manner in which you have led the country in working for a better South Africa, better Africa and indeed a better world.

The massive mandate we have received has humbled us, and has reminded us of the responsibility we have, of accelerating the delivery of basic needs and services, narrowing the gap between the haves and have-nots, and dealing with the issues that were raised by the people of our country in the massive door to door election campaign we undertook in all corners of the country.

President, you heard them asking you for jobs, for water, electricity, sanitation, proper roads, good education for their children and many other services.

In celebrating the 10 years of our freedom this year, we look back with pride at the achievements we have made in a short space of time. We are also filled with greater enthusiasm and vigour, to work harder than ever before, to continue to undo the legacy of apartheid and colonialism in the next decade of freedom.

Through your leadership, and previously that of our icon, Former President Madiba, our country has become a respected member of the international community.

Honourable President, the celebration of our freedom on the day of your inauguration, the 27th of April, should mark a further consolidation of our democracy and a further commitment of the people of South Africa to continue working together as they have done over the last 10 years, to make ours a winning and prosperous nation.

The people have spoken. You are the President of all the people of South Africa.

Let me therefore, on behalf of all our people, say Halala Zizi, Dlamini, Jama, Sijadu, Ngcib'enoboya, Gugu lamagwala, Gqabi, Nomana, Zulu.

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
23 April 2004