By Hassan Isilow
PRETORIA
Thousands of people gathered in Pretoria on Saturday to witness the inauguration of South Africa's President Jacob Zuma for a second five year term in office following his party’s victory in this month's elections.
Zuma will be sworn in at 11:00 local time by the country's chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Over 20 African heads of state, 11 prime ministers and former leaders are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Organizers say 4,500 foreign and local dignitaries have been invited, with most of them seated now at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.
Meanwhile, 20,000 people are expected to converge at the southern lawns of the union building to watch the proceedings on wide screens while being entertained by artists.
After being sworn in, Zuma will receive a 21-gun salute from the South African Defense Force before he commences his inaugural speech which symbolizes the start of his new term.
The South African Air Force is expected to fly the country's flag and perform air gymnastics for guests.
Zuma is the leader of the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Born in 1942, Zuma served as deputy president from 1999 to June 2005. In 2009, he was elected president.
The ANC won the most votes in this month's general election. On Wednesday, Zuma was reelected by parliament to serve out another five-year term.
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