The new administration is "going to work hard" after 800 000 more people voted for the ANC than in 2004, President Jacob Zuma said in Soweto on Sunday.

The new administration wanted to open channels of communication so that people could reach the presidency "timeously to raise issues and alert us to any problems or development needs", he said in a speech prepared for delivery at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville.

"We have brought the premier of Gauteng, the ANC provincial chairperson and the mayor of Joburg to underline the fact that their mandate comes from you," he said.

"They should be able to listen to you on a continuous basis and ensure that the development needs of Soweto and the whole of Gauteng are attended to."

Speaking during Sunday's tour of Soweto and Alexandra to thank people for voting the ANC back into power, Zuma said his was a government for all South Africans, not only for those who had voted for the ANC.

"When we look at our Cabinet we see South Africa. It underscores our vision of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white, young and old, urban and rural."

He said a new ethos and culture was forming in government. Public representatives would be held accountable and had to be visible to their constituencies.

"We cannot afford to have a government that we see only every five years when they come to ask for your votes," Zuma said.

"We intend to live up to the commitments we made during the election campaign. We plan to ensure that we accelerate the pace of service delivery for all the communities who have been affected by slow service delivery in the past."

Zuma thanked the people for their support for the ANC during the elections. He said Soweto was "one of the most visible symbols and sites of our struggle for freedom".

Sapa

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