New prez
Steve Hayes
NEWLY elected President Kgalema Motlanthe yesterday moved swiftly to assure
South Africans that he would run the country smoothly.
In his inaugural presidential address to parliament, Motlanthe sought to calm
fears about his leadership style, declaring that he would not change
government policies during his stint as caretaker head of state.
“These policies, which government will continue to implement unchanged, are
the product of an extensive consultation and decision-making process,”
Motlanthe said in a measured speech.
“These policies are the property of a collective. They do not belong to any
one individual. And it is not for any one individual to change them,” he said
in what seemed to be an attempt to deal with public criticism that the axing
of Thabo Mbeki as president had brought uncertainty to the government’s policy
direction.
He said his government’s social and economic policies would be based on the
ANC’s 2004 manifesto — on which Mbeki was elected for a second term of office
— and on resolutions adopted at the party’s Polokwane conference in December.
“Mine is not the desire to deviate from what is working. It is not for me to
reinvent policy. Nor do I intend to reshape either the cabinet or the public
service.
“We will not allow the work of government to be interrupted,” Motlanthe said
to a round of applause from both the ANC and opposition benches.
Motlanthe added: “We will not allow the confidence that our people have in the
ability of the state to respond to their needs to be undermined.”
He appealed for national unity.
“It is important that we retain our faith in the resilience of our
constitutional order and the vibrancy of our democracy.”
Shortly after his election by the National Assembly, a number of opposition
party leaders urged Motlanthe to rise above the faction fighting besetting the
ANC, saying it had negative consequences for the country.
Motlanthe said he was looking forward to a “constructive relationship” with
all parties in parliament, even as they prepare to contest next year’s
elections.
“I hope to benefit from the critical eye that a vibrant and alert opposition
brings to politics,” he said to applause from opposition benches.
Motlanthe said the government’s macroeconomic policies would be retained.
“In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have
kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth.”
He said he would not change the government’s foreign policy, which, under
Mbeki, was largely anchored on African development.
“We are here to assure all those on our continent, and in the world, that we
will continue to meet our international obligations.”
Preparations for the hosting of the Fifa 2010 World Cup would continue.
“We fully expect to meet every commitment our nation has made to the football
world.”
Soon after his speech, Motlanthe appointed his cabinet.
This was followed by the exchanging of broad smiles, hugs and kisses, in which
Mbeki’s ministers participated.