Deputy President Jacob Zuma has officially opened the first national conference of the Moral Regeneration Movement at the Eskom conference centre in Midrand.

He got a standing ovation and his own praise song.

The audience sang "Jacob Zuma, there is no one like you", before he began his keynote speech last night.

Highlighting some of the MRM's achievements over the past two years, Zuma stressed how the government had been doing its bit "to build a caring, humane, ethical society".

Public dialogue and debate on moral issues, Zuma pointed out, had increased and the government remained committed to "mainstream moral renewal issues" through various programmes, including the Value in Education programme, Safer Schools campaigns and the rehabilitation of prisoners.

"I must emphasise that while the government plays its role, it continuously works with civil society in partnership, as we need to work together in confronting these challenges," he said.

Zuma added that the MRM principle could be exported.

"I have met heads of state in Africa who have commented on the MRM. They said to me that we are doing something for the good of the continent, not just for South Africa."

The purpose of the conference is to review progress made since the MRM was launched in Pretoria two years ago, as well as to plan the way forward.

Besides Zuma, other role-players involved in the MRM also gave their assessment of the organisation's achievements, including Tshwane mayor Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, who is the chairperson of the MRM, and Zandile Mdhladhla, the MRM's chief executive officer.

When the MRM was founded, its aim was to build "an ethical and caring society, in line with the values enshrined in the constitution of the country", Zuma said.

With acknowledgements to Shaun Smillie and The Star.