By Smuts Ngonyama
One hundred days have passed since the ANC recorded its overwhelming victory in the National Elections.
One hundred days is a significant milestone in the eyes of many. It is the first period after which the performance of a government is measured. This evaluation has been undertaken by friend and foe alike.
The ANC took a conscious decision to await the evaluation of others on the performance of the government before commenting. Reluctantly, we had to comment on occasion in a general way without necessarily complementing you on the progress made.
But the ANC, representing by far the majority of people in this country, are pleased and proud to give their two-thumbs-up approval for the results and achievements attained by the government thus far in the pursuit of our revolution. We congratulate our cadres for a job well done, but warn that the tasks are yet far from complete.
If the duty of every revolutionary is to make revolution, we say "Onward soldiers of the revolution, onward to fundamental change and a better life for all".
As we see you moving up and down the length and breadth of our country, toiling and grinding away at your massive responsibilities, we are over-awed with pride at your revolutionary commitment and efforts. We cannot but be filled with hope and expectations that you will succeed in your glorious labour and fulfil those tasks thrust upon you by the people of South Africa.
The vigor and enthusiasm with which you have tackled these tasks over the past three months will be remembered, despite the difficulty of those tasks facing you.
The success of every revolution depends to a large degree on the quality of the revolutionary leadership. It is here that we have been especially blessed. The quality of our leadership is phenomenal - you are all remarkable.
After your induction into your portfolios, you hit the ground running. The urgency and vibrancy in your offices was almost tangible. We see huge progress in a number of fields and we are heartened by it. We congratulate you all.
In particular we are obliged to congratulate you on the manner in which you are dealing with crime. The formation of the "Scorpion" Unit and Directorate of Prosecutions will not allow criminals time to rest.
Your interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been key in seeking a settlement to the conflict plaguing the Great Lakes region and elsewhere on the continent. These efforts are giving palpable substance to the dream of an African Renaissance, of which our President so fondly speaks.
We are further elated at the strong upward turn in the economy, we know that your interventions have been telling in this regard. We hope and trust that this upward surge will translate into benefit the pockets and stomachs of our people.
These are not the only successes of this period - there are many more worth mentioning - but to give a litany of these is not the purpose of this article. Rather, what we need to acknowledge, and it something most of the media have, is that the last few months has seen the emergence of a "new way of doing things", where the nation goes to work for itself, with urgency and commitment.
This undertaking is led from the front by a most capable general, our President. He has articulated the goals of our revolution during this phase and the methods by which these goals will be pursued. He has instilled a more integrated and holistic approach to meeting the challenges facing our nation - and this is showing in the progress already achieved and the zeal in which these challenges are being pursued.
Certainly, mistakes have also been made - no one will deny that. One of the most difficult tasks of any revolutionary movement is to be self-critical.
You as leadership in our revolution for a better life for all are mere mortals and you will make mistakes, to do so is only human. The test is whether or not the intention of your actions are genuinely good. Good intentions cannot be undermined or drowned. Of the few mistakes of this period, no evidence exists of any deliberate malice or bad intentions only good.
But politics by their very nature create space for competitiveness and opportunism. We can therefore expect those to exploit and seek profit from the mistakes made. Those who wish to see evil and badness will always manage to see such - and will nit-pick, whinge and whine. Don't let their negative comments deter you from your tasks - stand firm and prove them wrong.
The opposite is also true - those who wish to see good will see good, and be joyous at the magnificent strides made.
One hundred days is a short period by anybody's standards. But this interval does give us an opportunity to gauge the general direction movement, and more importantly the way in which things are being done. We have looked hard and critically through this window and we are happy.
But there still remains a further 1 600 days to the end of this term of office, we trust that you will continue through these days in the fashion you have started. A revolutionary never quits until the work is done and there is still much to do. As a word of caution, do not become complacent, rather we appeal for you to strive even harder, there is no time for lethargy or relaxation. Be assured that we will be there to support you all the way.
The most difficult task now will be to mobilise the entire nation to push forward our revolution to a better life for all, in a deeper and more accelerated fashion. We need jobs for all, we need to eradicate poverty throughout the nation and we need to stamp out crime and corruption wherever it occurs. Through your continued extraordinary efforts and commitment we shall undoubtedly succeed.
This note could have been written to you personally however, as we admit that we are often extremely harsh and critical of you, it became necessary for us to complement you publicly too, on a job remarkably well done.
Onward soldiers of the revolution, onward to fundamental change and a better life for all!!!
Smuts Ngonyama is ANC Head of the Presidency and Communication