Mandela's Message of Hope

With the pomp of a departing monarch, President Nelson Mandela delivered his last major address to Parliament on Friday, calling on South Africans "to build the country of our dreams."

The prisoner-turned-beloved statesman left behind an exhortation of hope as opened the nation's first freely elected legislature for a final time.

Mandela urged his countrymen to build on South Africa's peaceful transition from white minority rule to democracy.

"With a new generation of leaders and a people that rolls up its sleeves in partnerships for change, we can and shall build the country of our dreams," he said. "As we confounded the prophets of doom, we shall defy today's merchants of cynicism and despair."

Mandela, 80, will step down after the nation's second all-race elections, which he announced would take place sometime from May 18-27.

Mandela's deputy, Thabo Mbeki, is widely expected to succeed him.

The speech, before a packed assembly of lawmakers in colorful African robes, Indian-style tunics and business suits, was vintage Mandela.

He listed the accomplishments of the African National Congress government, admitted some failings and excoriated those who refuse to let old racial hatreds die.

"The long walk is not yet over. The prize of a better life has yet to be won," he said.

Still, he boasted of many accomplishments. In five years, his government has brought clean water to three million people, electricity to two million and telephones to 1.3 million. But a large proportion of South Africa's blacks still lack such services.

Mandela, dressed in a dark suit, arrived in a motorcade and passed African dancers with painted faces to enter the 19th century neo-classical parliament. It is the same building where the apartheid laws of racial oppression were enacted.

After his speech, members of parliament stood and clapped rhythmically. A chorus sang Nelson Mandela, there's nobody like you."

The country's small, mainly white opposition parties immediately criticized Mandela 's address.

"The speech was removed from reality and what people are experiencing on the ground," said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, leader of the New National Party, which established apartheid.

Mandela acknowledged that the euphoria that greeted the 1994 vote ending apartheid has waned in the face of continuing racial divisions, high crime and poverty.

He also warned that racial tensions were destroying South Africa and souring its image abroad.

"This must come to an end. For, indeed, those who thrive on hatred destroy their own capacity to make a positive contribution," he said.