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President Cyril Ramaphosa pledges 'new dawn' for South Africa | President Cyril Ramaphosa pledges 'new dawn' for South Africa |
(35 minutes later) | |
New South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of a "new dawn" in his first State of the Nation address. | New South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of a "new dawn" in his first State of the Nation address. |
Mr Ramaphosa, who was sworn in on Thursday, promised to "turn the tide of corruption". | Mr Ramaphosa, who was sworn in on Thursday, promised to "turn the tide of corruption". |
He also spoke of accelerating land redistribution and outlined plans to boost the economy and create jobs. | He also spoke of accelerating land redistribution and outlined plans to boost the economy and create jobs. |
His predecessor, Jacob Zuma, stepped down on Wednesday after pressure from the governing ANC party. He faces numerous corruption allegations. | His predecessor, Jacob Zuma, stepped down on Wednesday after pressure from the governing ANC party. He faces numerous corruption allegations. |
Mr Ramaphosa dedicated much of his address to parliament to job creation, saying that the country faced "tough decisions" because of the stagnating economy and large national debt. | |
He highlighted youth unemployment and said he planned to create a million paid internships in the coming years. | He highlighted youth unemployment and said he planned to create a million paid internships in the coming years. |
"This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions," he said. | "This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions," he said. |
"We are determined to build a society defined by decency and integrity, that does not tolerate the plunder of public resources, nor the theft by corporate criminals of the hard-earned savings of ordinary people." | "We are determined to build a society defined by decency and integrity, that does not tolerate the plunder of public resources, nor the theft by corporate criminals of the hard-earned savings of ordinary people." |
He drew applause when he thanked South Africans for their patience during the last turbulent week. | He drew applause when he thanked South Africans for their patience during the last turbulent week. |
Earlier in the week, the ANC (African National Congress) had told Mr Zuma to step down or face a vote of no-confidence in parliament on Thursday. | Earlier in the week, the ANC (African National Congress) had told Mr Zuma to step down or face a vote of no-confidence in parliament on Thursday. |
Mr Zuma, who had been in power since 2009, finally gave way in a resignation speech late on Wednesday. | |
The allegations of corruption he faces include claims that he allowed the wealthy Gupta family, to whom he has personal ties, to wield influence over government policy. | The allegations of corruption he faces include claims that he allowed the wealthy Gupta family, to whom he has personal ties, to wield influence over government policy. |
Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied wrongdoing. | Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied wrongdoing. |