STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2004
SA's progress: the real story
Matome Sebelebele
6 February 2004
President Thabo Mbeki took South Africa on a trip down memory lane during his annual state of the nation address on Friday, highlighting the government's successes over the 10 years since the advent of democracy in 1994.
Mbeki began his address by quoting his predecessor and the country's first democratically elected head, Nelson Mandela, highlighting what he termed the "real story" of progress.
He reflected on the strides made to create a politically stable and economically competitive nation, to build a "people-centred society", saying South Africa today was a far cry from the political instability, violence and discrimination of the past.
South Africa, he said, had extending freedom to all South Africans, dismantling the chains of apartheid and colonialism.
"Since time immemorial, the overwhelming majority of our people had known nothing but despair ... But then 27 April 1994 came and things changed radically and irrevocably
for all South Africans."
The new government, Mbeki said, had cut down the social backlog by delivering 1.6 million houses, electrifying 70% of the country's households, and providing clean water to nine million people.
At least 63% of the country's households now have access to sanitation, Mbeki said, while education is now integrated, with more resources pumped into the system every year.
On the economic front, South Africa was experiencing its longest period of consistent positive growth. That inflation was down to 4% pointed to a progressive economy, Mbeki said.
The government had thus laid a firm foundation for building a united and better South Africa.
At the same time, the President acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead, including unemployment and HIV/Aids.
"We have it within our power to build our own golden door into our second decade of liberation", Mbeki said. "We have demonstrated that we have the will to answer the question in
the affirmative, and say - yes, this is the day!"
Source: BuaNews
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