This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7634845.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
New S Africa president sworn in | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The deputy leader of South Africa's ruling party Kgalema Motlanthe has been sworn in as caretaker president, replacing Thabo Mbeki. | |
Mr Motlanthe won three-quarters of the votes cast by MPs in a secret ballot in parliament in Cape Town. | |
A veteran of the African National Congress (ANC), Mr Motlanthe said he was "deeply humbled" by the outcome. | |
Trevor Manuel, the widely respected finance minister, has been retained despite offering to step down. | |
Mr Mbeki's departure led to a flurry of resignations from the cabinet and caused uncertainty on the markets. | |
Mr Manuel was one of 11 cabinet members who resigned, but said he would be happy to serve a new president. | |
In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth Kgalema MotlantheInterim President | |
Mr Motlanthe said on Thursday he would keep Mr Manuel in his post, recognising his role in leading the nation to sustained growth. | |
In his first speech as president, the interim president vowed that the country's economic policies would not change, and that he would intensify efforts to create more jobs. | |
"In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth," he said. | |
Spoiled papers | |
The new president is seen as a figure who can help ease tensions between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. | |
He will serve until polls next year, when Mr Zuma, as ANC leader, is widely expected to become president. | |
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE 1949: Born 1967: Detained for 11 months1977: Sentenced to 10 years on Robben Island 1987: Joined National Union of Mineworkers, rising to become its secretary-general1997: Elected ANC secretary-general2007: Elected ANC's deputy president2008: Becomes an MP and minister without portfolio Motlanthe: Safe hands | |
Mr Zuma is not an MP and so was not eligible to be elected president. He watched Thursday's vote from the public gallery. | |
Mr Mbeki announced his resignation on Sunday amid claims of political interference in a corruption case against Mr Zuma. | Mr Mbeki announced his resignation on Sunday amid claims of political interference in a corruption case against Mr Zuma. |
He denies the allegations but said he was stepping down in the interests of party unity, as the ANC leadership said it was recalling him. | |
There were loud cheers in the national assembly as the chief justice announced that Mr Motlanthe had secured 269 of 360 votes cast. | |
His challenger, Joe Seremane, of the opposition Democratic Alliance, got just 50 votes in a parliament heavily-dominated by the ANC. | |
However, there were 41 spoiled papers, suggesting a protest by some parliamentarians, the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says. | |
One of Mr Motlanthe's tasks will be to ensure a smooth political transition given the talk of feuding and divisions within the ANC, our correspondent adds. | |
'Very disturbing' | |
Mr Motlanthe is a long-serving member of the party hierarchy and a man generally seen as a safe pair of hands, our correspondent says. | |
During the apartheid years, he was imprisoned on Robben Island along with Nelson Mandela. | During the apartheid years, he was imprisoned on Robben Island along with Nelson Mandela. |
South Africans speak out about Thabo Mbeki's resignationIn pictures | |
After his release in 1987, he became a top official of the National Union of Mineworkers and then the ANC, although he only became an MP in May this year. | After his release in 1987, he became a top official of the National Union of Mineworkers and then the ANC, although he only became an MP in May this year. |
Mr Mbeki had been invited to attend the parliamentary session, but declined. | Mr Mbeki had been invited to attend the parliamentary session, but declined. |
Earlier, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe described Mr Mbeki's resignation as "devastating". | Earlier, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe described Mr Mbeki's resignation as "devastating". |
Mr Mbeki was the key mediator during months of negotiations that recently led to a power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe. | Mr Mbeki was the key mediator during months of negotiations that recently led to a power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe. |
"It's devastating news that President Mbeki is no longer president... but that is the action of the South African people," he was quoted as saying by Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper. | "It's devastating news that President Mbeki is no longer president... but that is the action of the South African people," he was quoted as saying by Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper. |
"Who are we to judge them? But it is very disturbing." | "Who are we to judge them? But it is very disturbing." |
It is not clear whether Mr Mbeki will continue with his role. | It is not clear whether Mr Mbeki will continue with his role. |
Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were thrown out by a court earlier this month on a legal technicality. | Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were thrown out by a court earlier this month on a legal technicality. |
It remains unclear whether they will be pressed for a third time. | It remains unclear whether they will be pressed for a third time. |
His supporters have long claimed that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to stop him becoming president. | His supporters have long claimed that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to stop him becoming president. |