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New S Africa president sworn in | New S Africa president sworn in |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Kgalema Motlanthe, the deputy leader of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, has been sworn in as president, replacing Thabo Mbeki. | |
Correspondents say Mr Motlanthe's first task will be to ensure a smooth political transition given the talk of feuding and divisions within his party. | |
He said his focus was continuity as he retained key cabinet figures such as the finance minister, Trevor Manuel. | |
But the controversial health minister was among those he replaced. | |
Mr Mbeki announced his resignation on Sunday amid claims - which he denies - of political interference in a corruption case against the ANC leader, Jacob Zuma. | |
The departure had led to a flurry of 11 cabinet resignations which caused uncertainty on the markets. | |
In his first speech as president, Mr Motlanthe vowed that he would "not allow the stability of our democratic order to be compromised". | |
'Deeply humbled' | |
The ANC veteran won three-quarters of the votes cast by MPs in a secret ballot in parliament in Cape Town earlier on Thursday. | |
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 | 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 he was "deeply humbled" by the outcome and would maintain the overall shape of Mr Mbeki's cabinet. | |
The interim president retained Mr Manuel in his post, recognising his role in leading the nation to sustained growth. | |
"In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth," said Mr Motlanthe. | |
Mr Mbeki's foreign and minerals ministers were also kept on, but the enterprise minister was replaced. | |
Also demoted was Mr Mbeki's maverick Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. | |
She had drawn criticism for espousing the value of lemons, garlic and beetroot instead of antiretroviral medicines to combat the spread of Aids in a country with the highest number of infected people in the world. | |
Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang will remain in the cabinet as a minister in the presidency without specific responsibilities. | |
Spoiled papers | Spoiled papers |
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 | 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 |
The new president is seen as a figure who can help ease tensions between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma. | |
He will serve until polls next year, when Mr Zuma is widely expected to become president. | |
Mr Zuma, who is not an MP and so was not eligible to be elected president, watched Thursday's vote from the public gallery. | |
There were loud cheers in the national assembly as the chief justice announced that Mr Motlanthe had secured 269 of 360 votes cast. | 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. | 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. | However, there were 41 spoiled papers, suggesting a protest by some parliamentarians, the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says. |
'Very disturbing' | '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. | 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 | 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. |