The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on December 30 called on all Africans to lay a solid foundation in year 2000 for achieving the goal of the African century in the new millennium.

"As Africans, we must seek to rid ourselves of those labels and misconceptions imposed by the rest of the world. Throughout the Year 2000 we must strive to ensure that peace and stability reign through the length and breadth of the continent and that we endeavor to bring an end to the wars and conflict which plague our continent and hamper our prospects of growth and development," the ANC said in a statement.

The statement also urges all Africans to intensify their efforts to eliminate the poverty and human deprivation, and tackle the scourge of HIV/AIDS and other diseases threatening the survival of the most African people.

Referring to South Africans' own future, the ANC said South Africa was an integral part of the Africa continent, vowing that the ANC government would be dedicated to the central objective of building a better life for all South Africans, speeding up delivery of basic needs, combating crime and corruption, rehabilitating the national economy and creating more jobs.