My fellow South Africans,

On 27 April 1994, we opened a new chapter in the history of our struggle, to build a common citizenship and equal rights for all South Africans. We continue to believe that this unity is the source of our strength and it has inspired many who sacrificed their lives so that we could attain our freedom.

South Africa's democratic elections - from 1994 to 2004 - were about the aspirations and a collective desire for a better South Africa and a better life for all. They were about a journey to bring an end to the legacy of apartheid and to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and more equal society.

Fifteen years into our democracy, together we have achieved much in building a new society, uniting all of our people, expanding opportunities that the new freedom brought to our people, reducing poverty and improving the quality of life of millions of South Africans. The economic and social devastation of apartheid has not completely disappeared. Our common struggle to build a better South Africa has not come to an end.

In the period ahead South Africa will need a government with experience and political will, a government that fully understands what needs to be done to address our apartheid past, a government that puts people first and which has a history of working together with the people, like the ANC.

While we are proud of the strong foundation that our long and heroic history provides us with, the ANC is essentially a forward looking movement that is committed to work together with all South Africans to speed up change, and delivery in order to improve the lives of every citizen.

We are committed to clear objectives and achievable plans. These require:

• Continued democratisation of our society based on equality, non-racialism and non-sexism;
• National unity in diversity which is the source of our strength;
• Building on our achievements and experience since 1994;
• Independent and fully functional democratic institutions;
• A sustainable and inclusive growth path that brings decent work and sustainable; livelihoods; education; health; safe and secure communities; and rural development;
• Targeted programmes for the youth, women and people with disabilities; and
• A better Africa and a better world.

These principles will guide us for the next five-years, inspired by the vision of our people and the Freedom Charter.

The ANC will not implement this alone: we will continue to listen, to consult widely, and to involve all of South Africa's people.

We have already followed this approach in our Popular Manifesto Campaign which was a consultative process involving the Alliance, the mass democratic movement, and all the key sectors of our society. Members of the public have made direct contributions by sending in thousands of suggestions. Others have expressed their views at public meetings, izimbizo and interactions with ANC leaders through the length and breadth of our country.

Early on in the New Year, on the 10th of January 2009, we will celebrate in East London the 97th Anniversary of the ANC and simultaneously also launch our Election Manifesto.

I am very aware that 2008 has in an economic sense been a difficult year for many South Africans. Because of the economic policies that the ANC government followed the international economic recession has not impacted on us nearly as severely as it could have. None-the-less I am acutely aware that, sadly, jobs are being lost, and many South Africans are feeling the consequences of the economic downturn.

We still have a long way to go before we can claim that we have created a more just society that has conquered the legacy of apartheid. Yet, we remain committed to a developmental state with poverty eradication and the creation of quality jobs our top priority.

In re-committing ourselves to the great transformational task ahead, we should not forget those who have dedicated their lives to these ideals. Some of our greatest stalwarts have passed away in 2008. Among those to whom we had to say farewell were Miriam Makeba, Dr. Nthatho Motlana, John Gomomo, Ncumisa Kondlo, Billy Nair, Elizabeth "Nana" Abrahams, Brian Bunting, Mike Terry and Jerry Mbuli, to mention only a few of the many fallen heroes and heroines to whom we should be eternally grateful.

I have on various occasions expressed my growing concern about the serious political crises and accompanying human tragedy in Zimbabwe. As the NEC of ANC stated after our last meeting for this year: 

"The time for hoping for change must come to an end. Neither the people of South Africa nor the people of Zimbabwe deserve the devastation that the political deadlock is creating. The reported cases of abductions and detentions without trial, tests the very fabric of the liberation we fought for in this region of Africa. We call on the political leaders in Zimbabwe to stop the infighting and put the people first."

The New Year must bring a speedy resolution to this utterly untenable situation.

With the many challenges that await us in the New Year I would like to express the hope that it will be possible for every South African to get some well-deserved rest and spend precious time with their families, loved ones and friends.

I have no doubt that 2009 will be another momentous year for our beloved country.

The African National Congress will be working together with our people for further, more and faster change.

Working together we can do more!

Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma

President of the African National Congress
Issued by the African National Congress December 23 2008