Join us, urges victorious Mbeki
2004-04-16 23:24
Jan-Jan Joubert and Willem Jordaan
Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki has extended an invitation to opposition parties to become part of his new government.
Speaking at the African National Congress's celebration party in Sandton, he said: "There is life after the elections."
He said the invitation put before every opposition party the choice of either getting involved in the ANC government's policy and approach to the governing of the country, or to be excluded from the government's decisions.
The official opposition has already rejected the invitation.
Mbeki told hundreds of jubilant ANC members and election workers: "We invite them to join a 'people's contract' to advance unity and take the country forward."
Mbeki spokesperson Bheki Khumalo confirmed the president had invited opposition leaders to become part of his new government.
He said: "Despite the ANC's overwhelming majority, the president doesn't want the cabinet to consist only of ANC members.
'Ball is now in their court'
"Unity and the challenge to build the country is of utmost importance to the president.
"The ball is now in their (the opposition's) court. If they are willing to be part of the 'people's contract', they are welcome."
Earlier on Friday, Mbeki opened the way for his announcement by doing a tour of the national results centre to talk to opposition politicians.
He unexpectedly hugged Joe Seremane, national chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, and exchanged brief pleasantries.
DA chief whip Douglas Gibson confirmed later on Friday that Mbeki had spoken to DA leader Tony Leon, who had phoned to congratulate him on the election results.
Gibson said Mbeki and Leon discussed the results and the role political parties would play in future. This was a change from the usually cold relationship between the president and the opposition leader.
Although there was no direct invitation to join the cabinet, Gibson said it was improbable Leon would accept.
'Must be true to voters' mandate'
"We thoroughly considered an earlier invitation by (former) president Nelson Mandela and rejected it.
"The role of the opposition in a democracy is an honourable one and we must be true to the voters' mandate."
By 20:00 on Friday the ANC had 69.6% of the votes, the DA 12.3% and the Inkatha Freedom Party 6.97%.
The United Democratic Movement is the fourth-largest party with 2.29%, followed by the Independent Democrats with 1.73%.
The New National Party got 1.66%.
The ANC beat the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal for the first time.