President Zuma inauguration sparked by excitement
South African president-elect, Jacob Zuma was officially inaugurated as the country’s president for the second-term during the ceremony which attracted many world’s dignitaries including the president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe.
Pretoria was at the centre of the world’s attention on Saturday morning during the official inauguration of the country’s president at the Union Buildings. South African president-elect, Jacob Zuma, was inaugurated for his second term as the president during a ceremony which attracted the world’s dignitaries. Thousands of citizens from all over the country converged on the city to witness the ceremony.
President Zuma arrived with his wife, Mha Khumalo and was greeted with excited cheering at the amphitheatre area.
The event began with inter-faith prayers followed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, who officially swore in Zuma into power after his party, the African National Congress (ANC), won the general elections. The recital of the preambles of the South African Constitution’s was also conducted after Zuma was officially announced as the country’s president.
Zuma said in his speech that the new government is ready to work and change the people’s lives for the better. He promised that his government is ready to fast track the development of the country. “We want to fast track the development. We are not ashamed of doing that and we are very happy to be here. This is your government. We promised that the new government will work very hard to change the lives of the people of South Africa. Let’s work together to move South Africa forward,” he concluded.
Before the inauguration ceremony officially began, several head of states and foreign dignitaries converged. It is believed that about 4 500 foreign dignitaries attended the event while an estimated 18 000 people watched the inauguration from the south lawns. Among the public figures who attended the event was the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, who received a standing ovation. Mugabe, who was recently reported to be in Singapore for a medical check-up walked slowly to the VIP seat with his wife, Grace. He waved to the crowd. Former president Thabo Mbeki arrived amid jubilation with his wife Zanele. Other dignitaries included the president of Nigeria, Goodluck Johnathan and Joseph Kabila, the president of Democratic Republic of Congo.
The South African Defence Force did themselves proud. Different planes and jets carried out awesome manoeuvres over the Union Building amid jubilation, ululation and cheering from the crowd. Local and international musicians entertained the spectators who brandished South African flags.
