Jacob Zuma was sworn in at the Union Buildings in Pretoria as SA's new president.Umsholozi promises postive changes and said that this is the era of "hard work."Pic source: M&G online
Tens of thousands of people braved heavy rains and chilly weather to witness the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as South Africa's new president.
VIP's and dignitaries were given umbrellas and raincoats as unusual heavy rains pourd hard in Pretoria that morning. Spectators had to improvise, some even risking lightning strike by sheltering under trees.
Source: M&G online
Close to 80 000 spectators crammed onto the South Lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sturday, 9 May 2009 to watch 'Umsholozi's' rise to power, his vocal supporters singing Zuma's trademark "Umshini wami" (my machine gun) war chant, announcing their allegiance to the president of Africa's most powerful state.
"I think the rain is a blessing," said Mo Shaik, brother of infamous Shabir Shaik who was accused of being in a corrupt relationship with Zuma, and as if destiny intervened, the rains died down and sunlight pierced through the grey clouds as Zuma was about to make his oath.
Shaik was among the 5 000 invited guests, which also included axed president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele. Envoys, diplomats and 30 different heads of states such as Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe and Muammer Al-Khadafi, the openly anti-American Libyan president were also present at the inauguration.
Boos and cheers
Ousted president Thabo Mbeki and his wife were met with humiliating boos from certain sections of the crowd as their faces were displayed on the large big screens, former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka was evidently never favoured by the populous, who gave her the same booing treatment.
Excited Zuma supporters took to the streets surrounding the Union Buildings singing Umshini Wami.
Though the South African Communist Party openly expressed their strong disapproval of having Swaziland's king present at the ceremony for being "anti-democratic," crowds whistled and cheered as Swazi monarch King Moswati III entered.
The majority of spectators at the inaugaration were young South Africans
As expected, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema was not short of controversial insults.
He had something to say to Zuma's apparent conspirators, "they will be giving their fake smiles.They must come and witness because they have lost. They must come and witness what they said was not possible," he added.
He also aimed his verbal cannon at the former president, "Mbeki must come witness what he stood against, to him this will not be a nice day."
Taxpayer's R75 million for the after-party
Taxpayers' had to fork out R75 million for Zuma's inauguration, which included the special bullet proof glass stage were Zuma made his oath.
A lot also went
into the stage were the after-party concert was held. It included large, high-tech, high-definition big screens and various award winning South African musicians like Gang of Instrumentals and Pro who were left to entertain the mostly young crowd after the inaugaration.Nonetheless cabinet insisted that the budget could have been higher but was limited because of the current global recession.
This years budget was R12 million rand more than Mbeki's inauguration in 2004.
As the performers left the stage and the big screens switched of, some of the spectators took their celebrations to the streets and partied into the wee hours of the morning.
Photos & writing by: Mooketsi Nthite
