ANC'S ELECTION VICTORY - COSATU Statement


Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit

Jun  7, 1999 by cospress@lists.sn.apc.org

"THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN."

COSATU welcomes the resounding victory of the African National Congress in
South Africa's second democratic elections.

The ANCs victory signals the confidence of the overwhelming majority of our
people in the national liberation movement, in the correctness of its
approach to transformation and delivery, and in the diligent manner with
which it has executed its historical mission over the past five years.

The resounding defeat of the opposition parties on the other hand makes
nonsense of their claims of wide scale support.  It presents the democratic
movement with the opportunity to drive our programme of social
transformation with much greater vigor and determination.

Without detracting from the issues, COSATU believes that the Democratic
Party must be cautioned against blowing its trumpet.  The DPs 9,55%
electoral support is derived from the mass departure of racists and
neo-nazis from the National Party.  It is therefore not the kind of support
that any party worthy of its salts should be proud of.  It is worth noting
that the DP (which has made the habit of attacking COSATU) can only attract
1 524 696 (9.55%) of the electorate  significantly less than 1, 8 million
of our paid-up members.  This is indicative of the fact that we represent a
far bigger constituency than the party of big business.

The victory we have scored therefore befits our celebration in the proud
knowledge of the fact that in the next five years, we shall together with
the ANC, continue with the proud legacy of the last five years.

The Tripartite Alliance is now faced with the task of transforming the
manifesto into a programme for the next period of governance. There is
unanimity about the centrality of the RDP as the basis of such a programme.

In the coming period, we shall, together, work towards speeding up delivery,
building the economy and creating jobs, combating crime and corruption,
transforming the state and building a better Africa and a better world.

COSATU joins in thanking all our people who participated in the elections by
exercising the vote and thus helped to strengthen our democracy.  We pay
particular tribute to those of our cadres who worked long and late to ensure
the victory we have won.
 
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