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Zuma to be sworn in as SA leader Zuma to be sworn in as SA leader
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa is preparing to swear in Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, as president.South Africa is preparing to swear in Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, as president.
Nearly 30 heads of state will join an expected crowd of 30,000 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony.Nearly 30 heads of state will join an expected crowd of 30,000 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony.
Security is tight with streets around the Union Buildings - the president's office - closed to traffic.Security is tight with streets around the Union Buildings - the president's office - closed to traffic.
Analysts say Mr Zuma, 67, brings a populist touch to the presidency, ensuring a very different leadership to that of Thabo Mbeki.Analysts say Mr Zuma, 67, brings a populist touch to the presidency, ensuring a very different leadership to that of Thabo Mbeki.
Mr Zuma was officially elected president by members of parliament on Wednesday, after the ANC won the general election two weeks ago.Mr Zuma was officially elected president by members of parliament on Wednesday, after the ANC won the general election two weeks ago.
He is due unveil his new cabinet on Sunday.He is due unveil his new cabinet on Sunday.
Concerts and partiesConcerts and parties
The crowds began gathering at the Union Buildings in South Africa's capital before dawn. The crowds began gathering at the Union Buildings in South Africa's capital before dawn, some singing songs in praise of their new president.
Some sang songs in praise of the new president as they made their way to the venue in the dark. Many spoke of their excitement at being able to witness Jacob Zuma become president.
Jacob Zuma has pledged to get to work straight awayJacob Zuma has pledged to get to work straight away
"We are rejoicing. He's the people's leader," Nkompela Xolile told the BBC. "He knows the poor of this country."
The inauguration will be followed by a huge concert on the lawns in front of the Union Buildings. Several more concerts and parties are planned throughout the day and evening.The inauguration will be followed by a huge concert on the lawns in front of the Union Buildings. Several more concerts and parties are planned throughout the day and evening.
Jacob Zuma's journey to the Union Buildings has been an epic struggle, the BBC's South Africa correspondent Peter Biles says.Jacob Zuma's journey to the Union Buildings has been an epic struggle, the BBC's South Africa correspondent Peter Biles says.
He was sacked as vice-president by Thabo Mbeki four years ago after being implicated in a corruption scandal - allegations Mr Zuma always denied.He was sacked as vice-president by Thabo Mbeki four years ago after being implicated in a corruption scandal - allegations Mr Zuma always denied.
The case was eventually thrown out amid evidence of government meddling in the investigation.The case was eventually thrown out amid evidence of government meddling in the investigation.
Joseph Winter, BBC News, Pretoria
There is a torrential downpour. In front of the Union Buildings, there is a sea of black umbrellas sheltering all the officials who have come.
People have been making their way to the venue since before dawn, singing songs praising Mr Zuma in the dark.
Security is tight, with the streets outside the Union Buildings closed to traffic.
Those performing at some of the concerts throughout the day include the Soweto Gospel Choir and the Johannesburg Philharmonic.
In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.In February 2006, the controversial polygamist was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for his comments about sex and HIV/Aids.
At the time, few observers believed Mr Zuma could remain a serious contender for president, our correspondent says.At the time, few observers believed Mr Zuma could remain a serious contender for president, our correspondent says.
But he fought to clear his name, retained enormous popularity, especially among his fellow Zulus, and led the ANC to a convincing election victory on a pro-poor populist ticket.But he fought to clear his name, retained enormous popularity, especially among his fellow Zulus, and led the ANC to a convincing election victory on a pro-poor populist ticket.
Mr Zuma has listed his five priorities as land redistribution, education, health, lowering crime levels and finding decent work for all South Africans.Mr Zuma has listed his five priorities as land redistribution, education, health, lowering crime levels and finding decent work for all South Africans.
He has promised a more hands-on approach and to work more closely with the opposition.He has promised a more hands-on approach and to work more closely with the opposition.
"We must move quickly to implement the framework agreed by the government, business and labour to protect jobs and boost the economy," he said on Wednesday."We must move quickly to implement the framework agreed by the government, business and labour to protect jobs and boost the economy," he said on Wednesday.