Mr. Zuma 67, has been sworn in today Saturday the 9th of May 2009 as South African’s new president. In his inauguration speech he promised to follow Mr. Nelson Mandela Madiba’s footsteps.
President Zuma’s story is one of inspiration and hope. His father died at the end of World War II, by age 15 he took on odd jobs to supplement his mother’s income. Under the circumstances, he did not receive any formal schooling.
He was latter influenced by a trade unionist family member, and he became involved in politics at an early age and joined the African National Congress in 1959. He became an active member of Umkhonto We Sizwe in 1962, following the banning of the ANC in 1960.
While on his way out of the country in 1963, he was arrested with a group of 45 recruits near Zeerust in what was then the western Transvaal (now the Northern West Province). Convicted of conspiring to overthrow the government, he was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, which he served on Robben Island.
After his release, Jacob Zuma helped mobilise internal resistance and was instrumental in the re-establishment of ANC underground structures in the then Natal province, (KwaZulu-Natal) between 1973 and 1975.
To read Mr. Jacob Zuma’s complete biography click anc.org
Though Mr. Zuma got a rainy welcome, his message direct. In his speech, he pledged "the dreams and hopes of all the people of our country must be fulfilled", and that "there is no place for complacency, cynicism or excuses".
He has promised to speed up the pace of change in the nation and transform the lives of the poor.
Just like the rest of the world, South Africa's economy already feeling the effects of the global slow down and unemployment levels are close to 24%.
Poverty statistics and housing challenges are worse that they were during apartheid.
To get full story, click news24.com
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