Washington - Celebrations will abound in the United States later today as President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated as the country's 44th president in Washington DC.
The inauguration will take place at 11.30 American time. Joe Biden will also be sworn in as his deputy.
Media reports have said that over two million spectators are expected to line the streets of the capital city to catch a glimpse of Mr Obama's parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Nearly one million more are expected to pack into the National Mall where the inauguration will take place and he will deliver his first speech as president.
His inauguration will be broadcast on SABC 2 from 6pm to 8.30pm local time. The live crossing will be co-hosted by Tsepiso Makwetla and Tim Modise who will be joined by various analysts.
Numerous radio stations, websites and news channels will be broadcasting the inauguration live too.
A special celebratory event has also been planned at Montecasino, Johannesburg. This event, which will begin at 5pm, was organised by the State of Illinois Africa Office of Trade and Investment.
Mr Obama is the first African-American to be elected President as has generated much popularity through his "yes we can" electoral campaign. He has also gained regards because of his community involvement.
On Monday, Martin Luther Kind Day, Mr Obama visited the Sasha Bruce House, a Northeast Washington shelter for at-risk adolescents from troubled families where he helped renovate the temporary shelter in the upstairs part of the home.
He also stopped at Calvin Coolidge High School greeting over 300 volunteers who were busy sending letters to troops.
