Mr Speaker, Sir, comrades and hon members, on behalf of the APC and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend our comradely congratulations on your election as the fourth President of the democratic South Africa. Your ascension to the high Office is not only a measure of success for your organisation but also a personal triumph. Congratulations!
When we fought for freedom the masses were not fighting for ideas or things in anyone's head. They wanted to see an improvement in their material conditions, better health facilities, education for their children, employment for the unemployed and so on. Thus, as you add your footprints on the sands of history, the challenges facing our people and their expectations from your stewardship abound, and what needs to be done is obvious.
We hope that under your leadership government will firmly focus on ensuring that our democracy works for all our people and that the promise of freedom does not remain a dream perpetually deferred for the majority of our people. The APC has consistently advocated a government of all talents, meaning eschewing sectarianism in matters of state administration. We look forward to working with you and making our own contribution to bettering the lives of our people.
Your election today as the fourth head of state is a confirmation that we are indeed transient on the stage of history. We are nothing but tools of history and when we are gone history shall find new tools. Congratulations once more. The struggle continues! [Applause.]