President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated South African President Jacob Zuma and his party, the African National Congress (ANC), over his victory in the Wednesday’s general elections.
Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday said Jonathan welcomed the ANC’s victory, with over 60 per cent of the votes cast in the election to the South African parliament and provincial legislatures, as an affirmation of Zuma’s enduring popularity and the party of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo and other great heroes of the anti-apartheid movement.
He also saw Zuma’s victory as a reaffirmation of the confidence of the majority of the people of South Africa in the ability of the ANC government to progressively achieve more inclusive national economic development and prosperity.
Abati said Jonathan and Nigeria felicitated with the people of South Africa on the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections which were the first since the passing away of Nelson Mandela.
According to him, Jonathan believes that the elections and the ANC’s fifth consecutive victory at national polls are a well-deserved tribute to the Madiba whose contributions to the emergence of a non-racist and truly democratic South Africa, remain legendary.
He said Jonathan looked forward to continuing to work with Zuma and his ANC government to further strengthen the cordial and mutually-beneficial relations between Nigeria and South Africa, especially in the area of bilateral trade and investments.
