Kgalema Motlanthe became South Africa’s interim president on Thursday, replacing Thabo Mbeki and ending the nation’s worst political crisis since apartheid was ended in 1994.

Kgalema Motlanthe addresses Parliament in Cape Town after being elected as South Africa’s president September 25, 2008. Deputy ANC leader Motlanthe was sworn in as South Africa’s president on Thursday to replace Thabo Mbeki, who resigned amid the worst political crisis since the end of apartheid.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Motlanthe said when he was sworn in, “I make a solemn pledge that I will do all to live up to these expectations and to undertake this task to the best of my ability. We will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth.”

He will serve as president until April next year when South Africa holds presidential elections. Mbeki, who announced resignation on Sunday in a televised speech, has come under pressure to quit following the judge’s ruling last week that Mbeki was instrumental in ANC President Jacob Zuma being charged with corruption.

Motlanthe said that the new administration will remain on course to halve unemployment and poverty by 2014 and remain determined to stamp out crime, violence and abuse, whomever it affects and wherever it manifests itself.

“We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FIFA World Cup ever - an African World Cup,” he added.

The president also stressed in his swearing in speech that the critical issues of crime, HIV/AIDS, poor service delivery, povertyand unemployment must remain high priorities for the new cabinet.

Motlanthe later announced a reshuffle of cabinet on Thursday. The administration reshaping will bring a new hope to South Africa, South African citizens expected.

The African Christian Democratic Party said on Thursday it was pleased that the majority of former experienced cabinet ministers have been re-appointed by Motlanthe. And also new ministers have been appointed to take charge of safety and security, justice and constitutional development, health and public works.

They particularly welcomed the appointment of Trevor Manuel as finance minister. The recent political instability has had a hugely negative impact on business and financial market sentiment that will take some time to recover.

South African people trust that his appointment will bring stability and reassurance to South Africa’s financial markets particularly following the assurance given by Motlanthe Thursday that there will be no shift in economic policy by the government.

In addition, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said on Thursday that Motlanthe will heal divisions which have plagued the ANC in the recent past.

“We are confident that Motlanthe will open a new chapter in which we build strength and unity within the ANC and its allies, as we prepare for the 2009 elections,” said COSATU spokesman Patrick Craven.

“We look forward to seeing him driving forward the implementation of the ANC’s Polokwane Conference resolutions and tackle the immense challenges to create jobs and eradicate poverty.”

The appointment of Motlanthe and a new Cabinet may help ease investor concerns after the exodus of ministers this week sparked a sell-off of South African equities and pushed the rand to a one-week low.

Lawmakers broke out into loud applause when Motlanthe was named president. The leadership of the ANC is confident that Motlanthe will be equal to the task, ANC parliamentarian Ben Martins told lawmakers on Thursday.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet