President Jacob Zuma says South Africa has shown to the world that it is a thriving democracy where differences of political opinion and diverse political preferences are allowed to flourish.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have concluded yet another round of competently run and successful elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a testament to the progress we are making as\u00a0a people and\u00a0also\u00a0to the maturity\u00a0of our democracy,\u201d said President Zuma on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
The President was speaking at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC), in Pretoria, during the release of the 2016 Local Government Election results.<\/p>\n
He said these\u00a0elections were\u00a0hotly contested, with competing parties passionately arguing their points of view in attempts to win the favour of the electorate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is\u00a0how it should\u00a0be in a democracy. We congratulate all the parties that have done well in these elections, including those who have gained new municipalities to run. We wish them all the best,\u201d President Zuma said.<\/p>\n
Read: ANC will rise to the top again \u2013 Ramaphosa<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The President said political parties waged their campaigns under different political banners, however, at the end \u201cwe are one people\u201d.<\/p>\n In this regard, the President said the elected representatives must govern on behalf of and in the best interests of all South Africans.<\/p>\n \u201cThey must build an accessible, caring and efficient local government system throughout the country, regardless of which party controls the municipality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The President said this election has given all political parties and candidates an opportunity to interact with South Africans across the country.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u00a0concerns that have been raised by the electorate during the elections\u00a0must\u00a0be attended\u00a0to\u00a0by all so that our people can experience the fruits of freedom and democracy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge our people to remain\u00a0engaged by participating in\u00a0ward communities and other structures and\u00a0be\u00a0part of the running of their municipalities.\u201d<\/p>\n The President said in this way there will be no gap between the people and the municipal governments.\u00a0\u201cThat is how strong democracies are built, when the people participate.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud of our people. We are proud of how South Africans manage their renewal of mandates and also the change of governments. It is done peacefully through the ballot box.<\/p>\n \u201cOur democracy is maturing and we congratulate our people for their participation in the consolidation of democracy,\u201d President Zuma said.<\/p>\n The real victors<\/strong><\/p>\n President Zuma congratulated the people of South Africa, saying \u201cthey are the real victors. Their will must prevail\u201d.<\/p>\n President Zuma further thanked the political parties, independent candidates and their supporters for contributing to a largely peaceful, free and fair election.<\/p>\n He also extended a word of gratitude to the millions of South Africans who went out to vote, some under\u00a0difficult\u00a0weather conditions.<\/p>\n He also thanked the\u00a0commissioners and staff of the\u00a0Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).<\/p>\n \u201cThe commissioners and IEC staff worked long hours, and delivered an efficient and fair election yet again.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have once again affirmed the faith and confidence our people have\u00a0in the IEC and the integrity of our elections,\u201d President Zuma said.<\/p>\n He urged everyone to work together to achieve a fair and prosperous country.<\/p>\n \u201cI am convinced that if we work together and harder, we will achieve our dream of\u00a0building\u00a0a just, fair, equal\u00a0and prosperous South Africa. It is possible.<\/p>\n \u201cLet us get back to work, and build our country together.\u201d<\/p>\n South Africa\u2019s democracy is maturing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on the elections<\/h3>\n