10 May 2009

Zuma warns South Africa in tough economic situation

4:36 pm on 10 May 2009

South Africa's newly inaugurated president Jacob Zuma has warned of the challenges faced by the continent's largest economy.

Mr Zuma, 67, was sworn in at a colourful ceremony in Pretoria attended by almost 30 heads of state including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attended along with about 30,000 people.

In his acceptance speech on Saturday, Mr Zuma said the country was in difficult economic times and was beginning to feel the pinch of the global recession.

Former president Nelson Mandela, who like Mr Zuma spent time imprisoned on Robben Island under white rule, gave his seal of approval to the country's new leader by attending the ceremony.

ANC supporters in Zuma T-shirts, dresses and hats, danced and shouted hymns. Some held up copies of newspaper headlines on placards which read "Zoom. Zoom. Zuma."

The president will name his cabinet on Sunday.

Priorities

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.

The new president has enormous popularity, especially among his fellow Zulus, and led the ANC to a convincing election victory on 22 April on populist ticket.

Jacob Zuma was sacked as vice-president by Mr 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.