visit to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Results Centre, Pretoria
Showgrounds
21 April 2009
Thank you very much Ms Hlophe (Dr Brigalia Hlophe Bam) and happy birthday to
you once again and many happy returns on this special day. In African
tradition, when it rains we regard that as a good omen because the rain will
wash away all the glitches and difficulties and also have the effect of
softening the hearts of those who may want to create difficulties during these
elections.
We look forward to fair and free elections. We welcome the many
international election observers who are here with us. We once again believe
that this institution the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will do us
proud as it has done in the past and we expect no less this time around.
We believe that they are up to the challenge and that all of the parties
that are contesting these elections will give it their best shot and take pride
in the fact that they participated in these elections, particularly those who
may not be favoured by the results. We believe that they would have also made a
major contribution in consolidating our democracy.
We are of the view that the level of enthusiasm displayed during this
election campaign and the levels of participation by young and old people
indicates that indeed our democracy is vibrant and that those doomsayers who
have been predicting that our democracy is floundering, will be prepared to eat
humble pie, because I think it is a vibrant democracy which does not allow for
any form of abuse of the systems because the checks and balances are in
place.
I know of no other nation that can boast of so many activists. In South
Africa, every citizen is an activist of one kind or the other.
With these words, once again, I commend the IEC team and assure them that
the state organs are ready to lend support and to ensure that we create an
environment in which all of our people can cast their vote without fear or
favour.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
Issued by: The Presidency
21 April 2009
