Pretoria — The Catholic Church in South Africa has described the huge win by the African National Congress (ANC) in Wednesday's elections as a victory of the people.

Though results were still being counted on Friday, it was clear the ANC was headed for a decisive victory.

"In the 2009 election, the real victory belongs to all the South Africans who voted," Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, spokesman of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC), said.

"The voting turn-out deserves celebration. It is a powerful sign of how a democratic culture has taken hold of our national consciousness. Congratulations South Africa!"

The church congratulated the ANC without mentioning in-coming president Jacob Zuma. Early this month, the church described as "unfortunate" the decision to drop corruption charges against him, saying the action had denied Zuma and the country the chance to establish his innocence or guilt once and for all.

"The return to government of the ANC expresses the will of the people of South Africa. I invite the ANC to live up to its founding principles and to redouble its effort to build a free, united and prosperous nation," Cardinal Napier said.

The last 15 years of ANC leadership had seen an ongoing miracle in the country, he went on. Many people had benefited from housing and services, social grants and education, and the economy had grown for six straight years.

"Much has been achieved, much remains to be done. The success of any democracy depends on the inclusion of all citizens and the recognition that we all have duties to fulfil and rights to protect."

Cardinal Napier also commended the Independent Electoral Commission for the smooth, well-organised and peaceful manner in which the election was executed.

"We call on all elected representatives to be effective law makers, followers of the law and guardians of the common good and of our Constitution, for an election is not a path to power, but a call to service."

The new government should show an even greater commitment to service and accountability, particularly with regard to the poor, the marginalised and the sick.

"We call on all who have been returned to power to see their election not as a personal or party-political triumph but an opportunity to build a more accountable and inclusive government."

The church looked forward to the announcement of a Cabinet of confident and competent ministers who would provide firm and clear guidance in the effort to create a better life for all.

"I urge the Catholic community to keep all our leaders in prayer and to do everything we can to entrench a culture of respect and responsibility, so that human rights may extend to all, the cardinal said, and entrusted the nation to the intercession of Mary Assumed into Heaven.