Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress (ANC), is the new President of South Africa. Zuma won the elections on April 22 (see Fides 22/4/2009). The ANC obtained 65.9% of the vote. This percentile, however, is not enough to let Zuma's party change the Constitution without the support of the other political forces. The government of the province of the Western Cape sided with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition party that has obtained 16.66% of the vote in the national elections. The COPE, the party formed by a faction group of the ANC, only won 7.42% of the votes.
The results confirm the predominance of the ANC (the party founded 97 years ago, to represent all South Africans and that has carried out a long struggle against Apartheid) and rebalances its power. Zuma will have to take into account the opposition, especially the Democratic Alliance, led by Hellen Zille, the Mayor of Capetown.
The South African Bishops, through their representative Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban, have expressed their hope that these elections may be a final step in the consolidation of the South African democracy.
In a message sent to Agenzia Fides, Cardinal Napier affirmed that “In the 2009 election, the real victory belongs to all the South Africans who voted. The voting turn-out deserves celebration. It is a powerful sign of how a democratic culture has taken hold of our national consciousness. Congratulations South Africa!”
“The smooth, well-organised and peaceful manner in which the election was executed is a testimony to our growing democracy and to the hard work by the Independent Electoral Commission. The logistical problems encountered in some places should not be overlooked in the planning for future election.”
The Cardinal recalled the progress made since 1994, when the Apartheid regime ended and for the first time, all South Africans voted in elections for the country's new leaders. “The last 15 years have seen an ongoing miracle in our country. Many people have benefited from housing and services, social grants and education. Our economy has grown for six straight years.”
However, the Cardinal affirms, this should not lead us to forget the urgent needs we need to respond to: “Much has been achieved, much remains to be done. The success of any democracy depends on the inclusion of all citizens and the recognition that we all have duties to fulfill and rights to protect.”
The message observes the will expressed by voters: “I wish to extend congratulations to the African National Congress for their national election victory. The return to government of the ANC expresses the will of the people of South Africa. I invite the ANC to live up to its founding principles and to redouble its effort to build a free, united and prosperous nation.”
Cardinal Napier exhorts “all elected representatives to be effective law makers, followers of the law and guardians of the Common Good and of our Constitution for an election is not a path to power, but a call to service. We call on the new government to show an even greater commitment to service and accountability, particularly with regard to the poor, the marginalised and the sick.”
“I urge the Catholic community to keep all our leaders in prayer and to do everything we can to entrench a culture of respect and responsibility, so that human rights may extend to all. Mary Assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa, we commit our country and our future to your intercession and care,” Cardinal Napier concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 27/4/2009)
