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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken of a \u201cnew dawn\u201d in his first State of the Nation address.<\/p>\n
Mr Ramaphosa, who was sworn in on Thursday, promised to \u201cturn the tide of corruption\u201d.<\/p>\n
He also spoke of accelerating land redistribution and outlined plans to boost the economy and create jobs.<\/p>\n
His predecessor, Jacob Zuma, stepped down on Wednesday after pressure from the governing ANC party. He faces numerous corruption allegations.<\/p>\n
Mr Ramaphosa, a 65-year-old former businessman, dedicated much of his address to parliament to job creation. He said that the country faced \u201ctough decisions\u201d because of its stagnating economy and large national debt.<\/p>\n
He highlighted youth unemployment and said he planned to create a million paid internships in the coming years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are determined to build a society defined by decency and integrity, that does not tolerate the plunder of public resources, nor the theft by corporate criminals of the hard-earned savings of ordinary people.\u201d<\/p>\n
He drew applause when he thanked South Africans for their patience during the last turbulent week.<\/p>\n
Opposition Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said the president could have pledged \u201cbolder action\u201d, and complained, \u201cI heard more of the same stuff\u201d.<\/p>\n
But Julius Malema, head of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, said he would give the new leader \u201cthe benefit of the doubt\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the week, the ANC (African National Congress) had told Mr Zuma to step down or face a vote of no-confidence in parliament on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mr Zuma, who had been in power since 2009, finally gave way in a resignation speech late on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The allegations of corruption he faces include claims that he allowed the wealthy Gupta family, to whom he has personal ties, to wield influence over government policy.<\/p>\n
Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
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Source: BBC<\/p>\n![\"Homepage](\"https:\/\/ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Telesol-ad.jpg\")
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