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Path of reconciliation: Zuma

— Photo: AP

Inclusive approach: Jacob Zuma,with his senior wife Sizakele Khumalo, after taking oath as President in Pretoria on Saturday.

JOHANNESBURG: Jacob Zuma, the indefatigable fighter against apartheid, was sworn in as liberated South Africa’s fourth President.

Rapturous crowds singing the Africa National Congress anthem and other revolutionary songs of the liberation movement witnessed the swearing in that started with Sanskrit shlokas followed with invocations of the Islamic, Christian and African Traditional

Religion faiths.

As several heads of state witnessed the ceremony at the majestic Union Buildings in Pretoria bearing close resemblance to the power centre on the Raisina Hills in New Delhi, Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe bestowed the highest civil honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, on Mr. Zuma. Expectedly, the former President, Nelson Mandela, received the most applause when he arrived with the crowd breaking into songs praising him. But Africa Union President and Libyan leader Maummar Gaddafi also received an ovation as did several leaders of the South African liberation movement.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Zuma reached out to all sections and pledged that “the dreams and hopes of all the people of our country

must be fulfilled”.

He warned that “there was no place for complacency, cynicism or excuses” and vowed to uphold the tradition of reconciliation begun by Mr. Mandela, the man who was at the forefront of the struggle against white apartheid rule. “He made reconciliation the central theme of his term of office,” said Mr. Zuma. “We will not deviate from that nation-building task. Thank you Madiba [referring affectionately to Mr. Mandela by his clan name] for showing us the way,” he added.

Looking at the visiting foreign dignitaries who included Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Mr. Zuma thanked all those countries which helped the South African people during their struggle and since.

It began pouring just before the inaugural ceremony, considered an auspicious omen in South Africa and the skies cleared up just before the formalities began.

Mr. Ansari later interacted with the President at the lunch and conveyed the felicitations and good wishes of the Indian leadership. He also invited Mr. Zuma to visit India at the earliest.

It was an “extended and warm meeting and Mr. Zuma told Mr. Ansari that the inaugural ceremony would not have been complete without India’s participation,” Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Nalin Surie told newspersons.

Indeed Indian Vice-Presidents have been present at all inaugural ceremonies of South African Presidents beginning with that of Mr. Mandela which was attended by then Vice-President K.R. Narayanan.

“This continuity carries its own significant symbolism,” pointed out High Commissioner Rajiv K. Bhatia.

“There is a sense that under the new dispensation our relationship will move forward.”

The new Cabinet is expected to be announced on Sunday and is likely to take the oath of office the next day.

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