Jacob Zuma has officially became South Africa's new president.
The 67-year-old, the fourth president since apartheid ended 15 years ago, enjoys a popularity often compared to Nelson Mandela's.
The ANC won last month's parliamentary elections and Mr Zuma was elected president by parliament on Wednesday.
He has survived corruption and sex scandals and an internal power struggle so vicious that it led to a split in his African National Congress party.
Many impoverished black South Africans believe his personal battles and eventual triumph give him special insight into their own struggles and aspirations.
After he signed the oath of office, a Zulu praise singer in traditional animal skins and pink feathers took to the stage to extoll the new leader's virtues.
A crowd of tens of thousands had broken into spontaneous song when Mr Zuma arrived for the ceremony in Pretoria, beaming and accompanied by his senior wife, Sizakele Khumalo.
His unabashed polygamy has raised questions about which of his three current wives may act as First Lady.
All three were reported to be present but only Ms Khumalo accompanied him to the stage, where he dropped down on to his knees before Mr Mandela in a traditional sign of respect.
