Tomorrow, June 2, 1999, South Africans will be voting in our country's second democratic national and provincial election. Our first election in 1994 became a symbol the world over of tolerance and co-operation that gave the lie to all the doomsayers who expected South Africa to degenerate into chaos and civil war.
As we approach tomorrow's election, let us approach this day with the same calm and collected spirit of seriouness that was the hallmark of April 27, 1994.
The ANC enters this election moved by the example of political tolerance and maturity set by the great majority of South African people. During the past five years of freedom, our country has registered impressive advances as we have taken our place in the international community.
The ANC has stated clearly that this election will be about accelerating the pace of change in the pursuance of a better life for all South Africans.
In April 1994, South Africans voted overwhelmingly for the ANC. 62% of all voters made their mark expressing their confidence in our organisation. That victory was followed by a second overwhelming endorsement of the ANC during local government elections in 1995. On the occasion 59% of all those who voted, made their cross for the ANC.
Over five years, much has been achieved in our country. We have begun to deal significantly with rooting out poverty and inequality. Our constitution protects South Africans from abuse and discrimination. 500 new laws have been passed by Parliament since May 1994. The ANC's policies have provided 750 000 more families with their own houses on land that belongs to them. 3 million people who never had running water or electricity today have access to both. Everyday 5 million children in school across the country are fed in a government feeding scheme. The building and renovation of 10 000 more classrooms means that we are educating 1,5 million more school children. Over 500 new clinics have brought access to healthcare to millions of South Africans who were excluded in the past.
During the next five years, together with all South Africans, we will speed up delivery in all these areas - meeting the basic needs of our people and developing our human resources.
The ANC-led government has done much to combat crime and corruption over the last five years. We have provided improved training for the police service. We have legislated harsher sentences for violent crimes and tougher bail laws. We has set up the Public Protector, the Health Investigative Unit and other mechanism to deal with corruption. But we acknowledge that the scourge of crime and corruption remains endemic in our society.
Much more needs to be done and the ANC is committed to ensuring that the next five years are years of fighting crime and corruption.
But in order to deal decisively with crime, we remain committed to our guiding principle, of also being tough on the underlying causes of crime such as despair, poverty and inequality.
The government's offensive to ensure the creation of jobs and of opportunities for self-employment is already bearing fruit. This will gather momentum over the next five years.
The past five years have been about transforming a state that was created to serve the interests of a minority into one that serves all South Africans. The result of that effort will become evident during the next five years as we quicken the pace of change in all spheres of government so that the ethos of "Batho Pele" of "the people first" permeates all our government and state institutions.
It is in that spirit that we shall continue our efforts to create a better Africa and a better world.
And it is in that spirit that the ANC urges all South Africans who are registered voter, to go in their numbers to the polls tomorrow and vote.
We urge you to give the ANC an overwhelming mandate, so that together, we can accelerate change in our country.
Issued by the African National Congress
Elections Media Centre
Gallagher Estate
Tel: (011) 312-2096/7
1 June 1999