Monday, June 14, 1999 Published at 18:54 GMT 19:54 UK
Mbeki elected South African president
Passing the baton: Nelson Mandela and his successor Thabo Mbeki
South Africa's parliament has elected Thabo Mbeki to succeed President Nelson Mandela, who formally retires on Wednesday.
"If all of us stand tall today," he said, "it is only because we are borne aloft by the firm hands of the ordinary people of our country."
The speech was sombre and businesslike, without the colourful quotations and proverbs so often used by Mr Mbeki in his remarks.
Earlier, South Africa's second democratically elected parliament since the end of apartheid was sworn in to office.
There was an air of excitement in the Assembly building as the new MPs arrived.
Dressed in a variety of outfits - from saris to brightly coloured national dress to business suits - the MPs took the oath of office in groups of ten.
Standing in front of Constitutional Court chief judge Arthur Chaskalson, they swore allegiance to the South African constitution.
Mr Mbeki was among the first group to be sworn in.
Alongside him stood Jacob Zuma, deputy president of the ANC, and the Speaker of the House, Frene Ginwala.