PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured former President Thabo Mbeki for his visionary leadership and contribution to a democratic South Africa.
In his message to Mbeki on his 80th birthday, Ramaphosa said that Mbeki will live to see South Africa rise to its full potential.
Ramaphosa said work is being done to address myriad of challenges facing the country.
He was speaking in a recorded video message.
“On the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution, you said a leader should not lie but understand the challenges,” said Ramaphosa.
“It is more important now than ever that we remember why we’ve been elected. We were not elected to distract our people with false hope and promises.”
“We want to tell you that we are steadily rebuilding our country back. We are wresting it back from the thieves, charlatans and the imigodoyi of which you have spoken.”
“We are rebuilding the state, restoring the economy and creating opportunities for our people to enable them to lead lives of meaning and dignity.”
He added: “Like the mighty oak whose roots holds the tree firmly to the soil, your wisdom and commitment to our people strengthens us and enriches our democracy and extends across the vast expanses of our continent.”
“The people of South Africa and indeed our beloved continent shelter beneath the branches of your wisdom, and your rich ideological legacy that restored our pride in our Africanness.”
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