Zuma sworn in as South African president

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¡¤Jacob Zuma was officially sworn in as South Africa's fourth
presidenton Saturday.
¡¤He took the
oath of office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
¡¤He vowed to
"protect and promote the rights of all South
Africans."

African National Congress (ANC) leader
Jacob Zuma arrives for the announcement of the official results of South
Africa's election in Pretoria April 25, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
Photo
Gallery

JOHANNESBURG, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Jacob Zuma was
officially sworn in as South Africa's fourth president at about 11: 20 a.m. on
Saturday when he took the oath of office at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Led by Chief Justice Pius Langa, he declared, "I,
Jacob Zuma, solemnly swear that I will observe and maintain the Constitution of
the Republic and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always promote all
that will advance the public, and oppose all that may harm it."

He vowed to "protect and promote the rights of all
South Africans," saying he would let "truth be the dictate of my conscience."

"I will devote myself to the well-being of the
Republic and all of its people. So help me God," he said amid loud applause.

Chinese president congratulates Zuma
on election as S African president

BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu
Jintao sent a message to Jacob Zuma on Thursday congratulating him on his
election as president of South Africa.

In his message, the Chinese president hailed the
political stability, national reconciliation, as well as social and economic
progress of the country under the leadership of the African National Congress of
South Africa (ANC). Full story

South Africa's Zuma cabinet expected
this weekend

JOHANNESBURG, May 6 (Xinhua) -- South African
President-in-waiting Jacob Zuma is expected to announce his cabinet soon after
his inauguration as president this weekend.

"The President is expected to appoint and announce
his new Cabinet by 10 May 2009," government spokesman Themba Maseko said on
Wednesday. Full story

Zuma: no surprises in South Africa
under new ANC government

African National Congress (ANC) leader
Jacob Zuma gestures during the announcement of the official results of
South Africa's election in Pretoria April 25, 2009. South Africa's ruling
ANC won a huge victory in the country's (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
Photo
Gallery

JOHANNESBURG, April 26 (Xinhua) -- There will be no
surprises in South Africa under the new ANC government, its leader and
president-elect Jacob Zuma said on Saturday after the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) announced the 2009 election results.

"There will be no surprises in the next
administration's program of action," he said after the IEC declared a landslide
ANC victory in which the party secured 264 parliamentary seats. Full story