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Jacob Zuma sworn in as SA leader Jacob Zuma sworn in as SA leader
(14 minutes later)
South Africa has sworn in Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, as president. Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, has been sworn in as South Africa's new president.
Nearly 30 heads of state are among an expected crowd of 30,000 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.
People began converging on the capital from before dawn, and even cold weather and rain failed to dampen the festive atmosphere among Zuma supporters. Correspondents described a festive atmosphere in the capital that could not be dampened by rain and cold.
Analysts say Mr Zuma brings a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency to that of Thabo Mbeki. Mr Zuma is expected to bring a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency 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. 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.
Torrential rain Rain stopped
Jacob Zuma, 67, was sworn in before 5,000 invited guests - including former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Jacob Zuma was sworn in as South Africa's fourth president since apartheid ended 15 years ago.
"I, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, observe uphold and maintain the constitution and all the other laws of the republic," he said.
Mr Zuma was sworn in before 5,000 invited guests - including former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were among nearly 30 heads of state and government attending.Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were among nearly 30 heads of state and government attending.
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.
Profile: Jacob Zuma Analysis: Zuma's challenges Jacob Zuma's three first ladiesProfile: Jacob Zuma Analysis: Zuma's challenges Jacob Zuma's three first ladies
"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 a 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.
The inauguration will be followed by a huge concert and several more concerts and parties planned throughout the day and evening.The inauguration will be followed by a huge concert and several more concerts and parties planned throughout the day and evening.
Epic journeyEpic 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, PretoriaJoseph 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. A Zulu praise singer dressed in traditional animal skins and pink feathers who praised the new president and his family.
Some of the crowd have sought shelter under trees and their umbrellas. Others continued to dance and sing in the rain. And the rain stopped and sun came out before Jacob Zuma took the oath
There is a Zulu saying when it rains before a big event: "The ancestors have given their blessing". A fly-past by military aircraft and a 21-gun salute was also held.
People have been making their way to the venue since before dawn, singing songs praising Mr Zuma in the dark. 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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions