Pretoria, 9 May-(ANA)-Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, has been sworn in as South Africa's new president.
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.
In a speech, he described it as a "moment of renewal" for South Africa, and vowed to work for reconciliation.
Correspondents described a festive atmosphere in the capital that was not dampened by earlier rain and cold.
Mr Zuma, 67, is expected to bring a populist touch, ensuring a very different presidency to that of Thabo Mbeki.
But his first speech as president was measured and statesmanlike, not intended to whip up the crowds into a frenzy as he often does, correspondents say. (aNA)
