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He’s Africa’s Big man! The one and only Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is South Africa’s new president, after being successfully elected by the South African Parliament yesterday. Mr. Zuma’s also had had quite a brush in his political career.

He was fired as Vice president in 2005 after being implicated on charges of graft, which led to his departure from parliament. In 2006 he was acquitted of rape charges, and has widely been rebuked on his remarks on sex and HIV/AIDS. And just three weeks prior to the 22nd April election, the corruption and fraud charges were dropped.

Mr. Zuma the African National Congress candidate has now successfully proven that the party still has a place in the South African people’s hearts. Having won with a pro-poor populist agenda, it’s the hope of the poor, crime ridden and unemployed South Africans that he’ll be the leader to save them from their plight.

In his address in Parliament yesterday, he urged for hastiness in implementation of framework, to save and secure the country from the current recession, which is being faced globally. He also stated that he intends to have his cabinet sworn in by Monday, 11th May to attend to the country’s affairs.

President Zuma seems energized and ready to go, having his five key areas of his agenda clearly stated. He’ll be focusing on land distribution, education, health, lowering crime levels and decent employment for South Africans.

Only time will tell if he’s the 21st century’s cape crusader for the poor and disadvantaged. I hope Zuma’s approach to land distribution will be carefully thought through, and be an example to other states on this continent on how it should be done. Repeat cases of Zimbabwe and Kenya are the last thing the continent needs.

Mr. Zuma’s inauguration will be this Saturday in Pretoria. Definitely what you'd term, Africa's main event for the day, with tens of thousands expected including 5,000 dignitaries. It's my hope that it'll be an event that matches Zuma's charisma, charm and colourful personality.