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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, a 65-year-old former businessman, dedicated much of his address to parliament to job creation. He said that the country faced "tough decisions" because of its 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. |
| Opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said the president could have pledged "bolder action", and complained, "I heard more of the same stuff". | |
| But Julius Malema, head of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, said he would give the new leader "the benefit of the doubt". | |
| 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. | 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. |