'Together, we can only succeed'
2008-09-29 07:27
Pretoria - President Kgalema Motlanthe wants to build on the "good work" done by former president Thabo Mbeki, and will not allow the government to lose sight of its objectives.
Motlanthe addressed the nation for the first time in a live television broadcast on Sunday evening.
He tried to reassure South Africans by emphasising that the government's focus in the coming months would be on the mandate it received in 2004.
'Move forward'
"The past few days have proven the durability of South Africa's constitutional order and the vibrancy of its democracy. We have no choice now other than to move forward, to forge ahead undaunted with the tasks we have set ourselves."
Motlanthe's speech follows ANC president Jacob Zuma's denial on Saturday that Mbeki's resignation had caused a crisis in the ANC.
Deputy President Baleka Mbete had added that disgruntled ANC members who wanted to form a new party were "wasting their time".
Motlanthe referred to the "incredible" contribution Mbeki made to the advancement of the country. "We have to thank him, his leadership and vision for all the successes of the last decade.
"We can say now with confidence that this government... has indeed made significant progress in fulfilling this mandate."
But there was still much work to be done to improve the lives of South Africans, he said. He committed himself to continued economic growth, as well as job creation and greater access to education and quality health care.
Crime, violence, abuse, poverty
"We are determined to eradicate crime, violence and abuse - regardless of who it affects."
The government will also focus on the alleviation of poverty.
In addition, the government would continue playing a positive role in international institutions and strive for "peace, safety, democracy and development in Africa".
Motlanthe called on all South Africans to stand together at this critical point in the country's history to help the government create a better South Africa.
"We have no doubt that, if we work together, we could present the best
Soccer World Cup in 2010."
Equal rights
The government will dedicate itself daily to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all South Africans.
"In line with the Freedom Charter, South Africa belongs to all the people living here, black and white. No government can insist on power if it is not based on the will of all the people. The government's vision is therefore all-encompassing.
"And just as we all have an equal claim to this country, we all have an equal obligation to build a society that is united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous," he said.
Motlanthe assured the nation that the government's work would not be interrupted. It is important that the country's democracy remained stable.
He added that the government was not going to allow the nation to lose confidence in its ability to meet people's needs.
"Never before has South Africa been closer than it is today towards the achievement of a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous nation. Together, we can only succeed."