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| Jacob Zuma sworn in as SA leader | Jacob Zuma sworn in as SA leader |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, has been sworn in as South Africa's new president. | Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, has been sworn in as South Africa's new president. |
| He took the oath in front of 5,000 invited guests and crowds of supporters who had gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony. | He took the oath in front of 5,000 invited guests and crowds of supporters who had gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony. |
| In a speech, he described it as a "moment of renewal" for South Africa, and vowed to work for reconciliation. | In a speech, he described it as a "moment of renewal" for South Africa, and vowed to work for reconciliation. |
| Correspondents described a festive atmosphere in the capital that was not dampened by earlier rain and cold. | |
| Mr Zuma is expected to bring a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency to that of his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. | Mr Zuma is expected to bring a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency to that of his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. |
| The 67-year-old was officially elected president by members of parliament on Wednesday, after the ANC won the general election two weeks ago. | The 67-year-old 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. |
| Rain stopped | Rain stopped |
| Former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki were among those at the ceremony to witness Jacob Zuma become South Africa's fourth president since apartheid ended 15 years ago. | |
| Mr Zuma praised his predecessors and said he would follow the policies of reconciliation between the races that Nelson Mandela had pursued. | |
| This was a "moment of renewal", he said, and "an opportunity to discover that which binds us together as a nation". | |
| And he promised South Africans that he would devote himself to helping them improve their lives. | |
| Profile: Jacob Zuma Analysis: Zuma's challenges Jacob Zuma's three first ladies | |
| "I commit myself to the service of our nation with dedication, commitment, discipline, integrity, hard work and passion," he said. | |
| Thousands of supporters watched the ceremony on TV screens from lawns below the Union Buildings, the president's office. | Thousands of supporters watched the ceremony on TV screens from lawns below the Union Buildings, the president's office. |
| People began gathering in the capital before dawn, some singing songs in praise of their new president. | People began gathering in the capital before dawn, some singing songs in praise of their new president. |
| Many spoke of their excitement at being able to witness Jacob Zuma become president. | Many spoke of their excitement at being able to witness Jacob Zuma become president. |
| "We are rejoicing. He's the people's leader," Nkompela Xolile told the BBC. "He knows the poor of this country." | "We are rejoicing. He's the people's leader," Nkompela Xolile told the BBC. "He knows the poor of this country." |
| Even an earlier torrential downpour did not dampen spirits - in Zulu tradition, rain during an important event is a good sign. | Even an earlier torrential downpour did not dampen spirits - in Zulu tradition, rain during an important event is a good sign. |
| A huge concert and several more concerts and parties planned throughout the day and evening. | |
| Epic journey | Epic journey |
| 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 | Joseph Winter, BBC News, Pretoria |
| A Zulu praise singer dressed in traditional animal skins and pink feathers who praised the new president and his family. | A Zulu praise singer dressed in traditional animal skins and pink feathers who praised the new president and his family. |
| And the rain stopped and sun came out before Jacob Zuma took the oath | And the rain stopped and sun came out before Jacob Zuma took the oath |
| A fly-past by military aircraft and a 21-gun salute was also held. | A fly-past by military aircraft and a 21-gun salute was also held. |
| In pictures: Zuma's inauguration Rain fails to dampen spirits | In pictures: Zuma's inauguration Rain fails to dampen spirits |
| 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. |
| BBC News would like to hear from South Africans in their country and abroad. | BBC News would like to hear from South Africans in their country and abroad. |
| What are your thoughts about today? What kind of president do you think Jacob Zuma will make? What are some of the main issue's he's going to have to tackle? | What are your thoughts about today? What kind of president do you think Jacob Zuma will make? What are some of the main issue's he's going to have to tackle? |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |