Pretoria - President-elect Jacob Zuma has assured the nation that the new administration would be a government for all South Africans.
"Working together we will make it a government for all South Africans," Mr Zuma said, while addressing a packed national and international media contingence, shortly after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the election results on Saturday night.
He said that South Africans need a government that knows what needs to be done to address poverty and build on the success of the past 15 years.
"We were serious when we said we want government to have direct contact with the people of South Africa," he said.
Mr Zuma vowed that government will improve service delivery while all will be done to ensure that only competent people will be employed to the public service.
He further congratulated the IEC for delivering a good and efficient election. "They (IEC) always rise to our expectations and make our nation proud. Where there were glitches, they were attended to very quickly. The elections were free and fair and we accept the results," Mr Zuma said.
The African National Congress (ANC) received a 65.9 percent win of the 17,680,729 valid votes cast. It received the support of 11,650,748 voters, 65.90 percent of the votes.
The ANC had, based on the high number of its votes, secured 264 seats in the national assembly and 126 on the national provincial list.
Mr Zuma also thanked the public who voted for the ANC for the first time in this election.
"We assure you that your vote was not misplaced. We thank ANC cadres, supporters and volunteers for their excellent work across the length and breadth of our country. This is your victory," he said.
Regarding the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the president in waiting said government will ensure that South Africa hosted the best ever tournament.
He said he spoke to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, earlier this afternoon to give him assurance that the new administration would carry on the preparations from the current administration.
Mr Zuma said the new administration will work with all political parties to ensure the success of the both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.
"We are convinced that we will make a success of the tournament and that we will impress the world with our abilities as a host for an event of this magnitude," he said.
As he left the results operation centre, he was greeted with applause by a large audience with some shouting at him, by his clan name "Msholozi".
Mr Zuma greeted the people before he was whisked away by his body guards.
