Delivering his State of the Nation address in Cape Town on Friday, President Thabo Mbeki said the country's electricity shortage posed both a challenge and an opportunity for South Africans to join with the government and "act in unity to keep the country on course."

Describing a country that has made huge social and economic strides since 1994, but which still faces difficulties "we do not and should not underplay," President Thabo Mbeki called on all South Africans on Friday to "dare to act in concert" to achieve the "happiness for all that should come with liberty".

Acknowledging that South Africa's progress in fighting crime has not been enough "for everybody to feel a better sense of safety and security," President Thabo Mbeki has committed the government to working harder and smarter - in partnership with business, the private security industry and local communities - to defeat "that which is ugly and repulsive in human society".

When Thabo Mbeki became President, he was seen as one of the few men who could steer South Africa successfully into the global economy. Driven by his vision of an African Renaissance, Mbeki has pushed for a greater role for SA in the international arena, while championing the cause of the poor at home.

Attend a parliamentary sitting, public hearing or committee meeting, have a discussion with a Member of Parliament, or take part in a guided tour of Parliament.

Now we're getting close to home. Find out how local government works, how municipal councils are elected - and where you fit into the municipal scheme of things.

What's a Premier? What does an MEC do? Find out about South Africa's nine provincial governments, and how they relate to national government and the local governments beneath them.

SA's Constitution gives communities living under traditional law and custom the right to influence the way in which the country is run. Traditional leaders accordingly play an advisory role in government.

South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary.

Describing a country that has made huge social and economic strides since 1994, but which still faces difficulties "we do not and should not underplay," President Thabo Mbeki called on all South Africans on Friday to "dare to act in concert" to achieve the "happiness for all that should come with liberty".

Acknowledging that South Africa's progress in fighting crime has not been enough "for everybody to feel a better sense of safety and security," President Thabo Mbeki has committed the government to working harder and smarter - in partnership with business, the private security industry and local communities - to defeat "that which is ugly and repulsive in human society".

When Thabo Mbeki became President, he was seen as one of the few men who could steer South Africa successfully into the global economy. Driven by his vision of an African Renaissance, Mbeki has pushed for a greater role for SA in the international arena, while championing the cause of the poor at home.

Attend a parliamentary sitting, public hearing or committee meeting, have a discussion with a Member of Parliament, or take part in a guided tour of Parliament.

Now we're getting close to home. Find out how local government works, how municipal councils are elected - and where you fit into the municipal scheme of things.

What's a Premier? What does an MEC do? Find out about South Africa's nine provincial governments, and how they relate to national government and the local governments beneath them.

SA's Constitution gives communities living under traditional law and custom the right to influence the way in which the country is run. Traditional leaders accordingly play an advisory role in government.

South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary.