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Jacob Zuma was sworn in as president of South Africa today, becoming leader of the continent's economic powerhouse after overcoming corruption, sex scandals and a power struggle within his own party.
Zuma, the fourth president since apartheid ended 15 years ago, took the oath of office in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
After he signed the oath, a Zulu praise singer in traditional animal skins and pink feathers took to the stage to extoll the new president's virtues.
Tens of thousands had broken into spontaneous song when Zuma arrived, beaming, accompanied by his senior wife, Sizakele Khumalo. Zuma's unabashed polygamy has raised questions about which of his three current wives may act as first lady. On Saturday, all three were reported present but only Khumalo accompanied him to the stage, where Zuma dropped down onto his knees before Nelson Mandela in a traditional sign of respect.
Zuma ejoys a popularity often compared toMandela's. Many impoverished black South Africans believe Zuma's triumph over his personal battles give him special insight into their own struggles and aspirations.
He survived corruption and sex scandals and an internal power struggle so vicious it led to a split in his African National Congress party. The ANC won last month's parliamentary elections and Zuma was elected president by parliament on Wednesday. He is due to unveil his new parliament tomorrow.
Sydney Mokoena, a 48-year-old Pretoria high school teacher, roused his 10-year-old daughter, Thula, at 4.30am to get to the lawns early. He said he admired Zuma for the calm he showed during his legal battles over corruption allegations that have now been dropped and a 2006 rape trial that ended with acquittal.
Mokoena said that while Zuma may not have had much formal education, his leadership of the ANC's intelligence wing during the anti-apartheid struggle was proof he was smart enough to be president.
Zuma will be "a dynamic and vibrant president," Mokoena said. "That's what South Africa needs. He's down to earth and he'll listen."
Mokoena laughed when Thula said she hoped for a glimpse of Mandela. Frail at 90 years old, Mandela makes few appearances, but he arrived for Saturday's inauguration in a golf cart to applause, wolf whistles and the announcer's cheer of "Viva Mandela, viva."
"We can have three or four or five presidents, people will still be talking about Mandela," Mokoena said.
Mandela and Zuma share rural roots and an easy warmth in crowds, though Zuma's origins are much humbler.
Mandela, 90, has ties to Xhosa tribal royalty and was groomed for leadership from an early age, attending some of the best schools and universities then open to blacks and earning a law degree.
Zuma, 67, herded cows instead of attending school as a boy to help his impoverished family before rosing through the trade union movement and the African National Congress guerrilla force.
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