New South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of a “new dawn” in his first State of the Nation address.<\/p>\n
Mr Ramaphosa, who was sworn in on Thursday, promised to “turn the tide of corruption”.<\/p>\n
He also spoke of accelerating land redistribution and outlined plans to boost the economy and create jobs.<\/p>\n
His predecessor, Jacob Zuma, stepped down on Wednesday after pressure from the governing ANC party. He faces numerous corruption allegations.<\/p>\n
Mr Ramaphosa, a 65-year-old former businessman, dedicated much of his address to parliament to job creation. He said that the country faced “tough decisions” because of its stagnating economy and large national debt.<\/p>\n
He highlighted youth unemployment and said he planned to create a million paid internships in the coming years.<\/p>\n
“This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are determined to build a society defined by decency and integrity, that does not tolerate the plunder of public resources, nor the theft by corporate criminals of the hard-earned savings of ordinary people.”<\/p>\n
He drew applause when he thanked South Africans for their patience during the last turbulent week.<\/p>\n
Opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said the president could have pledged “bolder action”, and complained, “I heard more of the same stuff”.<\/p>\n
But Julius Malema, head of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, said he would give the new leader “the benefit of the doubt”.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the week, the ANC (African National Congress) had told Mr Zuma to step down or face a vote of no-confidence in parliament on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mr Zuma, who had been in power since 2009, finally gave way in a resignation speech late on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The allegations of corruption he faces include claims that he allowed the wealthy Gupta family, to whom he has personal ties, to wield influence over government policy.<\/p>\n
Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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