Message from President Jacob Zuma for the Chinese New Year

South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday sent a congratulatory message to all members of the Chinese Community in South Africa and around the world, wishing them a happy and successful New Year - the Year of the Monkey!

"The Monkey is known as an auspicious symbol, thus heralding a year that looks forward to agility, inventive solutions, innovative endeavours, and flourishing business achievements," Zuma said.

Indeed, the Year of the Monkey must encourage and celebrate individual entrepreneurs, the setting of goals with confidence and reaping the rewards of consistency and dedication, he said.

The relations between South Africa and China have grown from strength to strength. Indeed, the symbol and the spirit of the Monkey can be said to capture the energy of these relations, filled with exuberance and highly motivated and focused on achievement of common goals, said the president.

At the dawn of this Chinese New Year, it is time also to contemplate the plans and aspirations for the year ahead, he said.

"It is critical at this time to set goals for our relations in the year ahead. I would therefore urge and encourage the South African Chinese community to make increased job creation through the establishment and growth of small businesses and individual entrepreneurs, be one such goal we can set ourselves this coming year," Zuma said.

"As South Africans, we are appreciative of the role that the Chinese community continues to play in everyday South African life. Your investments, and job creation through the entry of many Chinese enterprises, contributes to a better life for all who live in our country," said Zuma.

It has long been recognised that small business and private entrepreneurs are the dynamic engine room and principled force of any economy, he said.

"South Africa remains deeply appreciative of the Chinese community," Zuma said.

"It is our confident expectation that renewed motivation, innovation and energy encouraged by the year of the Monkey, will see us achieve our common goals of economic development and the prosperity of our peoples by building from the warmth of relations between the two countries," he said.

"As celebrations of the Chinese Year of the Monkey with the Chinese community in South Africa and across the world commence on 8 February this year, and as you spend the next days sharing time with and nurturing relationships with family and friends, I would like to extend our warmest and most sincere greetings and wishes to you all for a prosperous New Year," Zuma added.

A prosperous, lively and optimistic year awaits the relations between South Africa and China, he said. Enditem