Zuma promises a smooth transition

JOHANNESBURG – The ANC is confident of a ‘decisive’ victory in today’s polls, with party president Jacob Zuma assuring a smooth transition to a new administration.

The ANC had ‘better policies’ than any other party in South Africa and it had ‘done what was necessary’ to secure a ‘huge, decisive mandate’ for the party, he told a press briefing in Johannesburg yesterday.’We anticipate a massive turnout at the polls tomorrow, and we expect that the people of this country will once again give the ANC a huge and decisive mandate to work together with them to further improve their lives,’ he said.The ANC had gone all-out to capture the youth vote and Zuma urged those 18-years-old and above to vote today.’We are confident of taking a huge slice of the youth vote in the country.’The youth excitement about the ANC assures us that this movement has a great future, and can only grow from strength to strength,’ he said.Opposition parties had cautioned voters against allowing the ANC a two-thirds majority, fearing the party would use this to amend the Constitution. Zuma said the party would use its majority ‘responsibly’.’We reiterate that we will use our majority responsibly, and will not ride roughshod over the rights of the people, or bulldoze other parties into submission,’ he said.In a wide-ranging press conference, Zuma assured South Africa and the world that today’s elections would be free and fair. He congratulated South Africans and political parties for running a vibrant political campaign.’Although emotions were intense, incidents of violence and intolerance were minimal.’He appealed to law enforcement agencies to protect South Africans, and to the citizens of the country to respect the rights of their fellows to cast their votes freely.’We trust the ability and determination of our law enforcement agencies to deal with those who break the law decisively,’ he said.He described the 2009 elections as ‘more exciting’ than South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.The ANC’s presidential candidate said the party, which according to polls would take 60 per cent of the vote, would ensure that the transition to a new administration would be smooth.’The incoming administration will make changes to certain Cabinet portfolios, based on the experiences of 15 years in government and the priorities for the five years ahead,’ he said.’Certain portfolios are likely to be split to allow for greater focus on key areas.’Zuma would remain accessible even after he was placed in the Union Buildings as the country’s fourth democratically-elected president, he told journalists.’Yes, I will be accessible all the time… I am one of those who believe that interaction is the best thing to do. It removes suspicion and assumptions… I will see you guys regularly.’The press briefing, attended by a host of international and local journalists, saw Zuma answering questions ranging from the Bus Rapid Transit system, to who he planned to include in his Cabinet once elected.Zuma side-stepped a question about the party’s international funders, saying he was not the treasurer general of the ANC.He also declined to say whether Finance Minister Trevor Manuel would remain in his post under the new administration, amidst market jitters ahead of the polls.’We don’t discuss Cabinet before it is established… once the Cabinet has been appointed, the world will see. The anxiety of the markets is a permanent thing, there is always anxiety,’ he said.He again dismissed assertions that there was a ‘cloud of suspicion’ hanging over him, saying: ‘There is no cloud, there’s not even a mist’.This was in response to a British press question about the 783 corruption charges against him, which the National Prosecuting Authority recently dropped. – Nampa-Sapa