Confirming this in a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said: "We humbly accept the mandate thrust upon us by the peoples of Africa, the South and the world in general in electing us to this position of responsibility."

She said that South Africa is greatly privileged and honored by its election by the general membership of the United Nations to serve on the UN Security Council in a non-permanent capacity.

In this regard, she added, South Africa extends its gratitude to the peoples and government of Africa and the world for the confidence bestowed upon them to serve the people of the continent and indeed the world in the UN Security Council.

"We do so conscious and convinced that the multilateral system of global governance remains the only hope for challenges facing humanity today,"she added.

As a consequence, she said "we declare our readiness and preparedness to serve the peoples of Africa, the South and the world in this capacity."

Source: Xinhua , October 2006

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