South African lawmakers have elected ruling party leader Jacob Zuma to be the
country's next president. Mr. Zuma won an overwhelming (277-to-47)
victory Wednesday in a parliament dominated by his African National Congress
party. After the vote, he pledged to lead South Africa toward becoming a
united, non-racial, non-sexist country.
The election caps a political
comeback for Mr. Zuma, who was fired as South Africa's deputy president in 2005
in connection with a corruption scandal.
He later fought off corruption
and rape charges to take control of the ANC, which has ruled South Africa since
the end of apartheid, and won a resounding victory in last month's
elections.
Mr. Zuma is set to be inaugurated on Saturday. A government
spokesman says he will name his Cabinet by the following day.
Investors are eager to see whether Finance Minister Trevor Manuel
retains his post. Manuel is widely respected by the business community but has
clashed with South Africa's unions.
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