South Africa

Pretoria - It has been a chilly and drizzly start in Pretoria, where around 30 000 South Africans will gather for the inauguration of Jacob Zuma.

Union Buildings - There is a hive of activity around the Union Buildings as staff and street vendors got an early start, even as the darkness was lifting over Pretoria this morning.

Pretoria- Telkom will afford its employees an opportunity to apply for voluntary severance and early retirement packages as of this week, said the communications company.

Pretoria - It has been confirmed that at least 26 foreign dignitaries had touched down at Oliver Tambo Airport by last night, to attend President-elect Jacob Zuma's inauguration later today.

Union Buildings - Hundreds of invited guests, many in colourful African garb, had started taking their seats at the amphitheatre at the Union Buildings by 7:30am for the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as South Africa's President.

Pretoria - In freshly pressed green uniforms and polished shoes, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have lined up at the Union Buildings.

Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has met with the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS) in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

Pretoria - Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) election observers have congratulated the country on conducting a free and fair election saying
this was a positive factor for investor and business confidence.

Durban - Not discouraged by the dull, cloudy and chilly weather, thousands of people are starting to converge at Durban's City Hall to watch their local hero, Jacob Zuma, being inaugurated as President, via satellite on a big screen.

Pretoria - The inauguration of President-elect Jacob Zuma marks the beginning of a new circle of delivery, African Nation Congress Treasurer Mathews Phosa said ahead of the ceremony this morning.

Pretoria - President-elect Jacob Zuma is in an "ecstatic mood" ahead of his inauguration later today, his spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told BuaNews.

Pretoria - If given the opportunity to speak to President-elect Jacob Zuma today, thousands of South Africans would convey messages on how the new president should run the country.

Mafikeng - Residents of the Miga Village, near Mafikeng, have gathered at their local community hall to witness President-elect Jacob Zuma, being inaugurated.

Pretoria - While the inauguration of the President is the main focus of today's event, with the outfits that are being donned at the Union Buildings, from the trendy to the traditional, today's event can easily be mistaken for a fashion show.

Durban - With just a few minutes before the actual inauguration ceremony starts, an excitement lifted on the streets of Durban as homeless people celebrated their hopes that things will change when Jacob Zuma becomes President.