Patrick MaitlandObama was the better candidate !

World leaders and ordinary people are congratulating Senator Barack Obama on his election to the post of president of one of the world’s biggest and most influential economies.

It was an emotional moment on elections night – November 4, for most people of color as they listened intensely to Obama's presidential acceptance speech.

It was a historic occasion as an ordinary black man from a humble family background will be installed as the 44th president of the US on January 20, 2009.

With blacks accounting for less than 20% of the US population, and a society plagued with social discrimination, we are very proud of the people for demonstrating maturity and tolerance.

It was clear during the elections campaign that Obama was the better candidate, but we were all fearful the race factor would be used against him.

The US is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.

After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Obama has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States.

We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to grow the economy.

The road ahead is hard, but with the co-operation of the business communities and his political opponents we are confident that the US will bounce back to satisfy the needs of its people.