South Africa’s New President Takes Charge

South Africa’s new President Kgalema Motlanthe took office Thursday with a pledge to continue with the policies of his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki. Motlanthe took the oath office after being voted elected by the South African Parliament, with 269 votes against 50 for opposition nominee Joe Seremane. The new president immediately sought to assuage the business world by reappointing acclaimed Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, who was among 11 ministers who had opted to resign with Mbeki. Motlanthe, 59, will be South Africa’s interim leader until elections are held in April 2009, which the ruling African National Congress’ president Jacob Zuma is almost certain to win.[PE]