Before I congratulate you for this overwhelming victory, allow me to first congratulate those who made it possible: the brave and unyielding people of this country. The battle in this election was indeed partly between you and your predecessor, official and unofficial. But it was also largely a fight against evil, corruption, drugs, arrogance, oppression, dictatorship, fear, fascism, nepotism and nou banism by the proud and hardworking people of this country. And the people have prevailed. An enlightened and united people will always prevail.

For 10 full years, the Jugnauths, father, son and daughter-in-law, treated the people of this country with disdain and spite. The list of sins against them is endless: they cheated, conspired, lied through their teeth, brought the economy to its knees and illegally enriched themselves and those around them beyond the limits of decency. They entrenched an almost full-blown dictatorship, institutionalised bad governance and opacity, captured and manipulated all institutions behind the scenes, sank the economy in the doldrums, manipulated statistics... They divided families by offering the carrot to some and brandishing the stick against others. In this evil endeavour, a whole range of people were complicit by accepting their nominations and either actively participating in their immoral deeds or were guilty through their silence.

The masks have fallen and all the ills we had been denouncing for the last 10 years have been exposed to the naked eye by a lionised whistle blower who will be fondly remembered for years to come – Missie Moustass. He brought bare before us the ugliness of what those we entrusted to run this country were doing behind our backs.

We are at a turning point in our history. The realisation of our force as a people has come as news to us. We were made to believe that we had a price; that we were prepared to sell our conscience and our dignity. That we would never revolt. Lepep mouton, we were called. November 10th sounded the death knell on that image. We discovered a nation which knows how to say it has had enough. Modest people who could hardly make two ends meet spat on the freebies liberally showered on them by the government and embraced change. We have rediscovered the might of our people when they stand as one, showing that the love of their country is far greater than their perceived differences. We saw a great mobilisation and people taking their destiny in their own hands. It is a moment of great pride and satisfaction! So hearty congratulations!

Congratulations to you too, Prime Minister! You valiantly led this country out of the first and worst dictatorship ever experienced by this nation. You bravely fought alongside your people and won. As you stand on the pinnacle of success and savour one of the biggest moments of your career, my advice to you is twofold.

First, stay humble in victory. It is a great victory for you, Paul and for your other partners but it was only possible with the help of the freedom-loving people of this great little country. Many put their lives and livelihoods at risk to clear the path for you.

Secondly, surround yourselves with the right people. Do not repeat the mistake made by your predecessors – that of picking people to advise them who would say and do anything to continue to vampirise the state and benefit from the various advantages showered upon them by their benefactors. Beware of the karapat sanz lissien phenomenon. I already see some of those who gorged on the state for 10 years and condoned all the dictatorial practices of your predecessors hovering around you. Some have never made an honest living in their lives and they have to rely on you to continue to feed from the same trough. Be discerning.

You must be still reeling under the shock, like all of us. Once the euphoria has subsided, you will take stock of the enormous task ahead of you. It is humongous!

Our people are traumatised by years of injustice, arbitrary arrests, house raids and even ‘planting’. Help them heal by providing them with the justice they deserve. They have spent years looking over their shoulders before opening their mouth and have forgotten the taste of the freedom of speech. Bring them back that freedom and let them breathe it to their heart’s delight. No country in the world has been able to make any real progress without the ability to talk freely and have access to information without hindrance. Make it a reality.

Our people have lost all faith in our institutions. Please bring that faith back by appointing deserving and competent people who are able to act independently. Once again, be careful of the karapat.

Our people have been robbed of their dignity. Please give it back to them through equal opportunities where everyone can earn an honest living by the sweat of their own brow and in dignity.

Our people want their pound of flesh. Make sure those who have wronged us pay for every tear they made us shed, swiftly and within the parameters of the law.

The country has been impoverished through wanton dilapidation of public funds. Consumers’ trips to the supermarkets have been a painful experience. Please send the right message by cutting down on government expenses.

On the international level, give our country back the respect it once enjoyed.

It is a tall order but you are not alone. You start with the good faith and trust of the largest majority ever seen in this country. You inherit a united country where many myths have been busted. People of all colours, shades and constituencies have placed the same hopes in you. Do not, however, forget the lesson we all learnt today. That the real power is in the hands of the people.

Once again, congratulations and once again stay humble in victory. Allez Navin. Na pa kiler but never forget why you won!