Zuma wins, promises better life for all
The ANC has swept South Africa's general elections securing a "decisive majority," paving the way for party leader Jacob Zuma to become president, who vowed to build a "better life" for all, including blacks, whites, coloured and Indians.
The African National Congress (ANC) has swept South Africa's general elections securing a "decisive majority," paving the way for party leader Jacob Zuma to become president, who vowed to build a "better life" for all, including blacks, whites, coloured and Indians.
“We have won a decisive majority,” the 67-year-old leader, who was treated like a president-elect said.
The ANC won 65.9 per cent of the 18 million votes cast on Wednesday. It was allotted 264 seats, three short of two- thirds, and 33 fewer than it had held in the last parliament.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) got 67 seats while the recently formed breakaway faction of ANC, Congress of the People (COPE) of Mbeki's supporters could muster only 30 seats. The Inkatha Freedom Party managed to get 18 seats.
“We may disagree on how to build a better life for all, but what unites us is the fact that this country belongs to all of us, black, white, coloured, Indian, together,” Zuma said. “The people have spoken. They have gone out in their millions, in peace and calm, to freely vote for a party of their choice. They have voted for a better future for all, for decent work, quality education, access to health care, safer communities and rural development," Zuma said.