"Nicely off he went" is the phrase used by ANC leader Jacob Zuma to describe former president Thabo Mbeki's departure from politics.

Speaking during a television interview outside the National Assembly following President Kgalema Motlanthe's State of the Nation address, Zuma said Mbeki's recall by the ruling African National Congress had been "seamless", demonstrating the resilience of the country's people.

"I think if you take... the decisions that were taken about the recall of the president... In other countries there would have been civil war.

"But because South Africans are very hopeful and they are very clear and they have got confidence in the system, I think it was seamless. We were able to move across very well."

Zuma, who was relieved of his post as deputy president in 2005 by Mbeki, described South Africa's political leadership as "mature", including himself in this description.

"Because whether it was the deputy president in 2005, being relieved of his duties, nicely he went off, no problem. Whether the president [Mbeki] was recalled [in September last year], nicely off he went.

"Clearly, we are dealing with mature leadership who do not fight back if there is any decision taken against them.

"I think that adds value to the confidence in the country that here we have got leaders who are able to handle any situation," Zuma said.

Mbeki was not present at Friday's opening of Parliament.

Earlier, his spokesman, Mukoni Ratshitanga, said Mbeki had already made other plans by the time the invitation to attend had arrived.

"Regrettably, the former president will not be attending the opening of parliament because by the time the invitation came he had already committed himself to another engagement of which he could not pull out," Ratshitanga told Sapa.