Mbeki hails decade of progress

Mbeki was upbeat but short on specifics

President Thabo Mbeki has hailed great advances made in South Africa since the end of apartheid 10 years ago.

In his annual state of the nation address he said the government had delivered on basic needs like housing, electricity and water.

However, he admitted there remained challenges to overcome. The issues of Aids and Zimbabwe were almost completely absent from his speech.

The country is gearing up for the third fully democratic general elections.

Drive

In his address to MPs, President Mbeki quoted a line from former President Nelson Mandela addressing parliament 10 years ago.

DECADE OF DEMOCRACY Achievements 1.6m new houses built for poor Stable economy, low inflation 70% households electrified 9m access to water Challenges 30% unemployment 5.3m with HIV/Aids Massive wealth inequality Mbeki address - excerpts Ten years of change

"The purpose that will drive this government shall be the expansion of the frontiers of human fulfilment and the extension of the frontiers of freedom," he said.

His 85-year-old predecessor was watching from the visitor's gallery.

Mr Mbeki then went on to list his government's achievements in attaining those goals.

He said that the economy has grown steadily from an inauspicious start and added that the government had provided housing, water and electricity for millions of people, but he acknowledged that more needed to be done to bring them out of poverty.

"We have not as yet eradicated the cruel legacy we inherited," he said.

He mentioned Aids just once and Zimbabwe not at all.

His approach to both has been controversial and controversy was something he steadfastly avoided.

Opposition leader Tony Leon said Mr Mbeki failed to address the real failures of crime, unemployment and HIV/Aids.

"Also there was complete silence on Zimbabwe, which is a failure of leadership that is starting to define our commitment to democratic principles." he said.

Before his speech, Mr Mbeki walked towards parliament along a route lined with children who were all born in 1994, the year Mr Mandela became president.

President Mbeki is expected to announce an election date next week with polls suggesting his ANC could secure another large majority in parliament.