South Africa swears in Jacob Zuma as president, who faces tough challenges

PRETORIA, South Africa — Jacob Zuma took power Saturday in the culmination of an extraordinary political comeback, pledging to Nelson Mandela and the nation to renew the spirit of commitment and hope of South Africa’s first black presidency.

South Africa prepares to swear in Jacob Zuma, who faces tough challenges

PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africans started gathering before dawn and danced in chilly rain Saturday as the country prepared to swear in Jacob Zuma with an excitement that recalled Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration.

New South African president takes office Saturday, faces tough economic, health challenges

JOHANNESBURG — When Jacob Zuma takes the presidential oath Saturday, he will become the leader of a country where at least a quarter of the work force is unemployed and 1,000 people die of AIDS every day.

To heavy cheers, South African parliament elects Jacob Zuma as national president

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa’s parliament elected Jacob Zuma as president Wednesday, celebrating with cheers the astonishing rise of a self-educated teenage goatherder who transformed himself into the charismatic leader of Africa’s economic powerhouse.

South African parliament elects Jacob Zuma as national president

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa’s parliament elected Jacob Zuma as president Wednesday, celebrating the astonishing rise of a self-educated teenage goatherd who transformed himself into the charismatic leader of Africa’s economic powerhouse.