CRI听力:South Africa's Ramaphosa sworn in

South Africa's newly elected president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been officially inaugurated for a new five-year term.

Ramaphosa is vowing to tackle corruption and create jobs in a bid to try to revitalize South Africa's sluggish economy.

"I assume the President of the Republic of South Africa. I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all laws of the Republic."
 

In front of over 30-thousand enthusiastic supporters at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Cyril Ramaphosa has officially taken the oath-of-office, kicking off his five-year term as the President of South Africa.

In his inauguration speech, Ramaphosa admits that South Africa finds itself in a difficult position, 25 years after the end of the apartheid.

The African National Congress leader says it will be his mission to take concrete and timely action to solve the problems facing his country.

"Despite our most earnest efforts, many South Africans still go to bed hungry, many succumb to diseases that can be treated, many live lives of intolerable deprivation. Too many of our people do not work especially the youth. The challenges that we face are huge and real. But they are not insurmountable. They can be solved. And we are going to solve them."

The ANC won this year's election with 57.5-percent of the parliamentary vote, its worst performance since taking power 25 years ago.

Despite the lackluster showing at the polls, Ramaphosa contends the ANC is still well-equipped to continue to lead the country forward.

"Through the irrefutable power of the ballot on 8 May, South Africans declared the dawn of a new era. They have chosen hope over hopelessness, they have opted for unity over conflict and divisions. South Africans want action and not just words and promises. And there will be action. It is through our actions now that we will give form to the society for which so many have fought and sacrificed and for which all of us yearn."

Heads of state from over 40 countries have attended the inauguration.

This is the first time that the inauguration ceremony has taken place outside the Union Buildings - the official seat of the South African Government.

That is where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first post-apartheid, black President in 1994.

In making the switch, the ANC says it chose Loftus Versfeld Stadium simply to accommodate more people who were eager to take part in the inaugural celebrations.