Mr Speaker, Mr President, Mr President-elect, on behalf of the Congress of the People, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your election as the President-elect of the Republic of South Africa.
We accept that the people of South Africa have spoken and we shall give our support to this high office of the Republic and its occupant. We extend our goodwill and best wishes to you, honourable Sir, in the years ahead as you lead the country to face its many challenges.
Our support as the Congress of the People to you and your executive is premised on our own mandate from the electorate to form part of a vibrant democracy where the voices of all citizens are heard, both those who voted for the ruling party and those who did not. We assure you that our role in this Parliament will be a constructive one, focused on working with all who desire to build a vibrant institution of democracy in our country.
We look forward to you assuming the role of first citizen of the Republic and striving to become an embodiment of all that the people of the Republic aspire to and wish to uphold as definitive of who they are as a nation.
We wish you well, Mr President-elect, assuring you of our goodwill, our best wishes and our prayers. [Applause.]