6 February 2009
South Africans will know within a week when they go to the polls to elect a
new government.
President Kgalema Motlanthe says he will in the next few days conclude
consultations with the Electoral Commission and the provincial premiers and
announce the date of the elections. Delivering his State of the Nation Address
(SONA) in Parliament today (Friday, 6 February), he said South Africa had a
healthy democracy, which was "steadily growing stronger, underpinned by a
Constitution hardly equalled in the world."
"Indeed, the robustness of our political engagement during this season of
electoral contest â which we all agree should be dignified and peaceful â is
the surest guarantee of the continued survival and deepening of our democracy,"
President Motlanthe said.
He urged all eligible South Africans to register and to vote in the coming
national and provincial elections "so that we can shape our destiny
ourselves."
"This we should do every working day in the municipal offices, before the
voters' roll is closed. But we should also take advantage of the special
registration weekend arranged by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (the
IEC) tomorrow and Sunday, the 7th and 8th of February respectively," said
President Motlanthe.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
6 February 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
