South Africa must seize the 'golden opportunity' of former President Jacob Zuma's resignation, to move forward and 'start afresh', the archbishop of Cape Town has said.
Zuma's deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, is to be confirmed as South Africa's president in a parliamentary vote on Thursday after the scandal-ridden leader reluctantly resigned on orders from the ruling African National Congress party.
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said Zuma's decision to quit showed the power of the people and urged South Africans to 'direct our energies towards nation-building'.
It came as Malusi Mpumlwana, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, vowed the country's churches will remain the moral compass of society.
Makgoba has been one of Zuma's most outspoken and consistent critics and tweets that South Africans must 'roll up our sleeves and make South Africa move forward'.
'May those called upon to take up where he left off not squander the gift of this moment,' he said in a statement.
'I hope I will be speaking for many by saying we have a country to build, a new vision to shape, and a future to craft that our children will be happy to inherit. Even in this trying hour, I hope we can mobilise and direct our energies towards nation-building.'
He added: 'President Zuma's resignation is an acknowledgement that public power is to be exercised on behalf of and in service to the people of South Africa, rather than for the self-service of the incumbent.'
Despite his long-standing opposition, Makgoba praised Zuma for finally resigning.
'Hard as it might have been for President Zuma to have arrived at his decision to quit his post, it has nevertheless relieved him from the burden of rejection that had placed his standing on the wrong side of our country's glorious history,' he said.
'He must be thanked for making peace with himself and the country by bowing to the inevitable and affording us much-needed relief.'
The 75-year-old Zuma said in a 30-minute farewell address to the nation he disagreed with the way the ANC had thrust him towards an early exit after Ramaphosa replaced him as party president, but would accept its orders.
'Defiant in defeat' and 'Going, Going, Gone' were among the newspaper headlines that captured Zuma's reluctance to leave.
'South Africa's long nightmare is over,' read the headline from online political news website Daily Maverick.
The foundation set up to guard the legacy of the late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela said Zuma's departure brought to an end 'a painful era for the country'.
Parliament pseaker Baleka Mbete said she had received Zuma's resignation letter, while the ANC hailed Zuma's decision to step down.
Julius Malema, leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said his party would not take part in the election of a new president so as not to legitimise an ANC candidate. The EFF had sponsored a no-confidence motion in Zuma that would have gone ahead on Thursday had Zuma not jumped.
The appointment of Ramaphosa, who will be president until elections next year, appeared certain as the ANC holds a majority in parliament, though lawmakers will hold a secret ballot if he is not the sole candidate.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
