Ministers,
Chairperson of the IEC and Commissioners,
Chief Electoral Officer,
Members of Cabinet;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished Guests;
We have gathered for an important occasion, to bid farewell to men and women who have served our country with distinction for so many years.
The IEC has played a crucial role since our country achieved its freedom and democracy in 1994.
Dr Bam and your team, allow us to extend our deepest gratitude to you, for making the IEC an institution that has entrenched both the culture and practice of multiparty constitutional democracy in our country.
Under your stewardship, the IEC has placed South Africa at the forefront of electoral democracy, in fulfilling the mandate and commitment to constitutional democratic principles.
Our outgoing Commissioners have successfully conducted six elections, ranging from National and provincial elections in 1999, 2004 and 2009.
That also includes the successful management of the Local Government Elections that were held in 2000, 2006 and 2011.
The six elections were free of any serious incidents and complied with the international standards of free and fair elections.
The 1994 election is the most memorable one for South Africans for obvious reasons, as the one that ushered freedom and democracy to our country.
Many people around the world thought that we would not hold incident-free, non-racial, non-sexist, inclusive and democratic elections on that historic day of 27 April 1994. We proved the sceptics wrong.
We still have fond memories of those long queues of South Africans young and old, men and women, black and white, standing together for the first time to cast their votes.
That election was an achievement of not only the Electoral Commission, but all the South African people, for putting their country first above everything else.
We are truly proud of the magnificent work the Commission has done over the past 14 years since that historic inaugural election.
It is through your hard work that freedom of expression and choice has been cemented in our country by ensuring that we hold regular, free and fair elections in which the South African people express their will.
It is through your hard work too, that we have been able to promote the pivotal democratic principle, that choosing a government through the ballot box is indeed the only way.
Elections are popular in our country and we believe this is partly due to the work of the Commission.
Despite the predictions of doomsayers during each elections, we find that more and more young people go and out and vote. This augurs well for the future of our democracy.
Children look forward to turning 18, and one of the exciting factors for them is that they will be able to vote!
This is a notable achievement for our country and our democracy.
Tonight we also celebrate the manner in which our electoral system promotes our multiparty democratic system by allowing space for all parties that qualify, to be able to take their views to the electorate.
The Commission is always on hand, meeting with the various parties to ensure that the electoral process allows all to participate in a fair, transparent and inclusive manner.
This has ensured that various parties accept the outcome during each election, despite sometimes their reservations about certain processes.
Let me therefore commend the work the IEC has done and its consistency in applying electoral rules without fear or favour in supporting our constitutional democracy.
Compatriots
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me reiterate to the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners we acknowledge as well that under your leaderhship, the IEC has been called upon to share lessons with other commissions beyond our borders.
In the past decade, the South African Government has received numerous requests from our counterparts in the African Union, SADC and elsewhere to assist in the democratisation processes of different countries.
We have always relied on the expertise of this institution to continue offering a helping hand to all our neighbours who needed our contribution.
The IEC successfully participated in elections in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Comoros, Lesotho, Namibia and many other countries on the region and continent.
I would like to further acknowledge and commend the IEC’s frequent participation in capacity building programmes in countries such as Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Maldives, Nepal, Vietnam - just to mention a few.
This is evidence of your expertise, dedication and efficiency, which has benefitted people beyond our borders.
Through you, we have been able to promote and export our democratic values and principles.
Let me then take this opportunity to convey a special gratitude to Dr Brigalia Bam, Ms Thoko Mpumlwana, Mr Fanie van der Merwe and Mr Terry Tselane.
Please continue providing support and advice, as we work to promote a South Africa that is free from gender or racial discrimination.
As I said, your sterling work has not gone unnoticed; it will continue to guide and assist us in building a prosperous Nation that is committed to the values enshrined in our constitution. Before concluding let me emphasise that it is more inspiring for us that this highly successful institution is run by women compatriots. You have proved that women are capable of running any institution and to fill any position in our country indeed.
It is our hope that you will continue providing your esteemed expertise to our society.
I thank you all
