Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
To the people of South Africa and the world who are watching: this a joyous night for
the human spirit. This is your victory too. You helped end apartheid, you stood with us
through the transition.
I watched, along with all of you, as the tens of thousands of our people stood patiently
in long queues for many hours, some sleeping on the open ground overnight waiting to cast
this momentous vote.
South Africa's heroes are legend across the generations. But it is you, the people, who
are our true heroes. This is one of the most important moments in the life of our country.
I stand before you filled with deep pride an joy. Pride in the ordinary, humble people
of this country. You have shown such a calm, patient determination to reclaim this country
as your own. And joy that we can loudly proclaim from the rooftops - Free at Last!
I stand before you humbled by your courage, with a heart full of love for all of you.
I regard it as the highest honor to lead the ANC at this moment in our history, and that
we have been chosen to lead our country into the new century.
I pledge to use all my strength and ability to live up to your expectations of me as well
as of the ANC.
I am personally indebted and pay tribute to some of South Africa's greatest leaders including
John Dube, Josiah Gumede, GM Naicker, Dr Abduraman, Chief Lutuli, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph,
Yusuf Dadoo, Moses Kotane, Chris Hani, and Oliver Tambo. They should have been here to
celebrate with us, for this is their achievement too.
Tomorrow, the entire ANC leadership and I will be back at our desks. We are rolling
up our sleeves to begin tackling the problems our country faces. We ask you all to join
us. Go back to your jobs in the morning. Let's get South Africa working.
For we must, together and without delay, begin to build a better life for all South Africans.
This means creating jobs building houses, providing education and bringing peace and
security for all.
The calm and tolerant atmosphere that prevailed during the elections depicts the type of South
Africa we can build. It set the tone for the future. We might have our differences, but
we are one people with a common destiny in our rich variety of culture, race and tradition.
People have voted for the party of their choice and we respect that. This is democracy.
I hold out a hand of friendship to the leaders of all parties and their members, and ask
all of them to join us in working together to tackle the problems we face as a nation.
An ANC government will serve all the people of South Africa, not just ANC members.
We also commend the security forces for the sterling work done. This has laid a solid
foundation for a truly professional security force, committed to the service of the people
and loyalty to the new constitution.
Now is the time for celebration, for South Africans to join together to celebrate the
birth of democracy. I raise a glass to you all for working so hard to achieve what can
only be called a small miracle. Let our celebrations be in keeping with the mood set in the elections,
peaceful, respectful and disciplined, showing we are a people ready to assume the responsibilities
of government.
I promise that I will do my best to be worthy of the faith and confidence you have placed
in me and my organization, the African National Congress. Let us build the future together,
and toast a better life for all South Africans.