Standing ovation for Mugabe at Zuma inauguration

Standing ovation for Mugabe at Zuma inauguration

OVATION: President Mugabe and first lady Grace arrive at Union Buildings in Pretoria for Jacob Zuma's inauguration ceremony

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Posted to the web: 11/05/2009 00:21:34
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe received a standing ovation as Jacob Zuma was sworn in as South Africa’s fourth black President on Saturday.

Gathered crowds at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, mainly ANC supporters and VIPs including at least 30 present or former heads of state cheered as the Zimbabwean leader was introduced and his image beamed on large television screens.

Assailed by most of the world as a tyrant, Mugabe remains a popular figure in South Africa – seen as a symbol of resistance to white minority rule by many locals still freshly-scarred by apartheid.

Mugabe attended the inauguration with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara – the South Africans keen to cement an eight-month-old power sharing pact between the three leaders which they brokered.

Zuma hugged Mugabe before engaging in a brief chat with the 85-year-old veteran leader who has been in power for 29 years.

Tears of joy rolled down the face of Lesetja Mothata as Zuma took his oath to become South Africa's fourth democratic president since the end of apartheid.

"I never thought this moment will come, he is now officially our president," said Mothata fighting back the tears.

The unemployed father was among the crowd of over 30,000 people gathered on the lawn of the Union Buildings, Zuma's new offices, to witness his swearing in.

"This is reality, dreams are over. Now he is not just the president of the ANC but the president of the country," said Mothata.

Some in the crowd sang and prayed as chief justice of the Constitutional Court, Pius Langa, asked Zuma to take the oath of office.

"Those who were scheming and plotting against him have been silenced now. Zuma is going to make a good leader, he is humble and understands the people's needs," said Mothata.

The mostly black crowd waved national flags and sang "Zuma my president" in pouring rain which drenched the first part of the proceedings, but was seen as a good omen.

The lavish event cost the state 75 million rand (US$8.9 million).

While Mugabe and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were warmly received, it was the arrival of the country's first black president Nelson Mandela that drew the loudest cheer.

Mandela arrived with his wife Graca Machel. Guests, mainly high ranking government officials and top leaders in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), welcomed him with song, singing "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you."

The ANC had said that Zuma would bring all three of his current wives to the ceremony, but arrived with his first wife Sizakele Khumalo, a painfully shy woman. There was no sign of the other two.

The couple bowed down in front of Mandela to greet him, before proceeding to their seats.

Polygamy is recognised in South Africa, but Zuma is hardly ever seen in public with any of his three wives. Normally he is accompanied by a daughter -- one of his 19 children.

In the public viewing site, the crowd booed and jeered at former president Thabo Mbeki, Zuma's arch-rival.

The same cold reception was received by his ex-deputy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who resigned from the ruling party to join an ANC breakaway party.
"Traitor, you have no backbone," some people shouted from the crowd.

Swaziland's King Mswati III was also jeered. His invitation was criticised by the country's biggest labour union, COSATU, which is opposed to his absolute rule over his tiny country.

After his inaugural speech, Zuma and his wife went down to the lawn to greet his well-wishers who watched the proceedings on large television screens.
"We have proven that we are a strong democracy, even when there is a change of leadership we do not fight, there is no bloodshed. Things just carry on," said Zuma.

He then introduced his wife to the crowd, saying "this is MaKhumalo," referring to her maiden name.

"You will see other wives some other time," he added.
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