Fellow South Africans,

 

The festive season is upon us.

 

As we celebrate this season, we also celebrate 20 years of peace, freedom and democracy.

 

It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and how much further we need to travel.

 

We recently commemorated the first anniversary of the passing away of the founding father of our democracy and nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

 

It was largely thanks to the contribution and sacrifices made by Nelson Mandela’s generation that today we stand tall among the nations of the world as an equal partner in peace, freedom and development.

 

As a nation, we will continue to draw inspiration from Madiba’s dedication, selflessness and vision in our quest to move our country South Africa forward.

 

As a nation, we are only too aware that we still face challenges and obstacles.

 

Just as Nelson Mandela embodied the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, so shall we triumph over these challenges that lie ahead.

 

As we celebrate this festive year-end, we remain acutely aware that many of our people spend this time of the year without proper shelter, without enough food, without jobs and without basic services.

 

Millions of our people remain in poverty. Millions are unemployed. Inequality remains a central feature of our society.

 

These are challenges that we all need to work together to overcome.

 

Together, we have laid a firm foundation to address these challenges through the National Development Plan.

 

Led by President Jacob Zuma, we will continue in 2015 to mobilise all our resources to implement the National Development Plan and restore the dignity of all our people.

 

This means creating more jobs, empowering our people through skills development, expanding our economic infrastructure, building a capable state, developing sustainable communities and advancing social cohesion. 

 

We commit ourselves to working with our international partners to advance the political and economic renewal of our continent Africa.

 

We do so recognising that the future of our country is inextricably linked to the future of our region and continent.

 

Equally we extend our best wishes to the international community.

 

We recognise that we gained our freedom thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of people around the world.

 

Fellow South Africans,

 

At this time of peace and goodwill, let us remember those of our compatriots who passed away during this year.

 

Many perished abroad under tragic circumstances. Some perished in the Lagos building collapse, some at the hands of extremists in Yemen and Afghanistan. Let us also remember those who died on our roads, those who were victims of crime and also those who succumbed to various illnesses.

 

The thoughts and prayers of the nation reach out to their families, friends and colleagues. 

 

Let us use the festive season to reaffirm our commitment to the creation of the better South Africa we all desire.

 

 Let us be more considerate in word and in deed. Let us respect each other. Let us take an interest in the well-being and comfort of others. Let us be responsible.

 

We take this opportunity to reach out to the senior citizens of our country.

 

This festive season, let us express our gratitude to them for the immense contribution they have made to building our country and our nation. Let us extend to the elderly our respect, our love, our care, and our affection.

 

This is also the time of year that we pay tribute to the men and women in our police service, national defence force, public healthcare facilities and other essential services. These are the people who keep us safe and secure as we celebrate.

 

The nation’s gratitude also goes to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers in community and charity organisations who give of their time to ensure that the vulnerable in our communities are safe and comfortable.

 

We pay tribute to the millions of matric learners who will receive their results in the coming days. We are confident that, like your predecessors, you will make us proud.

 

At this time of year we also welcome to South Africa large numbers of visitors from all parts of the world who wish to experience our country’s unique cultural and natural assets.

 

Let us all be welcoming hosts, keeping our visitors entertained, informed and safe.

 

We look forward to many happy return visits by our international guests.

 

Finally, we look forward to a period of rest, rejuvenation and quality time with friends and family.

 

On behalf of President Jacob Zuma and the government of South Africa, may I extend our best wishes to you all during this festive season.

 

I thank you.