Jacob Zuma sworn in as South African president

"I, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the republic," he said.

Zuma vowed to "protect and promote the rights of all South Africans," as he took the oath administered by Constitutional Court Chief Justice Pius Langa.

He recited the oath in front of South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, with former president Thabo Mbeki and outgoing leader Kgalema Motlanthe also on hand.

Zuma was accompanied to the stage by the first of his three current wives, Sizakele Khumalo, with nearly 30 visiting leaders among the 5,000 invited guests at the Union Buildings, the hilltop complex that is the seat of South Africa's government in Pretoria.

Thousands of supporters gathered in the wintry rain from before dawn to watch the proceedings set up with televisions showing the proceedings.