Presidency
President Cyril Ramaphosa used his speech to the nation on Sunday night to draw the curtain on the performance of the 6th administration, while urging South Africans to go out and vote on Wednesday.
“This will be the seventh time that South Africans of all races, from all walks of life, from all corners of our country, will go to vote for national and provincial government.
“We will once again assert the fundamental principle, articulated in the Freedom Charter, that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people,” he said in a speech of roughly half-an hour.
President Ramaphosa praised the professionalism of the Independent Electoral Commission, saying that one of the defining features of all our elections since 1994 has been the IEC’s integrity.
He said over the course of the last few months, many different parties and candidates have vigorously and enthusiastically campaigned for votes.
“While the contestation has been robust and has, at times, become heated, campaigning has been peaceful and free of intimidation,” Ramaphosa added.
The President said “regardless of the outcome, let this election further entrench our democracy and strengthen our commitment to uphold it.”
Drawing the curtain on the 6th administration, President Ramaphosa highlighted the successes of the ANC-led government.
“We have placed South Africa on a new trajectory of recovery and laid a strong foundation for future growth. “We have taken significant steps to reform our economy by implementing a number of reforms that affect various sectors of the economy,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said in tackling crime and corruption the government had introduced a number of initiatives and measures to reposition our criminal justice system.
“We have faced many challenges along the way, which have tested our resilience and our resolve.
“Yet, in each instance, we have confronted these challenges together. We have remained united. We have worked in partnership and solidarity.
“Together, as a nation, we brought state capture to an end,” President Ramaphosa said, but also noted that more needed to be done to fight corruption.
President Ramaphosa said the last five years have been a time of rebuilding and recovery.
“It has been about working together not only to meet the challenges of the moment but to put in place firm foundations for a better future.”
