ANC leader Jacob Zuma was elected president of South Africa by parliament on Wednesday, and set boosting the economy and creating jobs as his immediate priorities.
Zuma, jailed for 10 years under apartheid before going into exile, is the nation's fourth head of state since the end of white rule in 1994.
An eight-year corruption case nearly ruined him, but graft charges against him were dropped shortly before the election on April 22, which his ruling party won handsomely.
Aside from fighting poverty, crime and AIDS, Zuma faces the task of guiding Africa's biggest economy, which may already be in recession, through the global financial crisis.
'We mean business'
In his address to Parliament, Zuma promised to speed up progress on education, health and land reform, fight harder against crime, create more jobs and improve the lives of millions of impoverished black South Africans who have seen little benefit since apartheid ended 15 years ago.
"We mean business when we talk about faster change," Zuma said, adding that his immediate priority was to limit the fallout from the global economic crisis, which has pushed South African unemployment back up to 23,5%.
He also promised that his government would be "more hands-on, more accessible" than past ones.
Reassuring investors and trade union allies
Zuma moved quickly to reassure foreign investors who will be watching to see if the charismatic former guerrilla steers the economy to the left despite his assurances of policy continuity.
He also sought to comfort trade union allies who helped him become president and may want payback in the form of more government spending.
"We must move quickly to implement the framework agreed by the government, business and labour to protect jobs and boost the economy," Zuma said.
Zuma will be inaugurated on Saturday and will name a cabinet on Sunday. The 67-year-old was deputy president for six years before being sacked by his predecessor as president, Thabo Mbeki, in 2005.
The new government is expected to keep conservative monetary and fiscal policies to cushion the impact of the global crisis.
Manuel's fate to be monitored
The fate of respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel will be closely monitored by markets who view him highly and have praised his management of the economy.
Manuel stood alongside Zuma as they were sworn in as members of parliament.
A source familiar with the issue has said the long-serving finance minister may be chosen as a deputy president, tasked with heading a planning commission from within the presidency.
"I intend to have my cabinet assume office by the 11th of May so that we can get down to business," Zuma said.
"I should be able to produce a team that will work very hard and with the necessary speed. We mean business when we talk about faster change."
No surprises in cabinet
A spokesman for Zuma said there will be no surprises in the cabinet.
"The president won't do anything reckless that seeks to undermine the standing and the rating that this country has had for the past 15 years," spokesman Zizi Kodwa said.
Zuma, who portrays himself as a man of the people, may help the ANC avoid further splits after his rivalry with Mbeki, whom the party pushed out of office.
Zuma has said he will consult widely with other ANC leaders before making major policy decisions, an approach that may ease opposition fears that the party will not tolerate dissent and will hurt South Africa's democratic credentials.
"One of the strengths of president-elect Zuma is that he connects with people," Mamphela Ramphele, an anti-apartheid activist and prominent South African businesswoman, told Reuters.
"I am also encouraged by him surrounding himself by people who are saying the right things."
Critics say South Africa is effectively a one-party state because of the ANC's dominance since the end of apartheid. The party is still widely respected for its struggle against white-minority rule so voters in the election overlooked its policy failures.
But it will come under mounting pressure to deliver on 15 years of promises to help millions of blacks still living in grim townships, who are a key part of the ANC's support base.
Sapa - Reuters
