Form (left) Ntuthuko Zibandlela, 18 : I am very happy that the same president we respect and love is being inaugurated today. It is all about democracy in South Africa now and I believe that it’s not possible for so many people to be wrong about one thing – voting for the ANC as government again. Mafika Gumede, 17 (right): I am also very happy, our president is loved by many and this just goes to show. Today we born frees get opportunities that a lot of people only ever wished for at our age, I love this democracy and what the country has achieved.

Xolani Khumalo, 16: I am not really proud of the fact that South Africa chose President Jacob Zuma to be president again, all since the Nkandla issue and using up state funds to upgrade his homested. I find this unfair as his own neighbours are poor, you’d expect him to intervene but suprizingly a rivalry political party did that.

Gordan Kantjie, age not disclosed: Looking at the South African political landscape, I am pleased with the progress we have achieved. Yes, we have issues, but we can’t now disregard the ruling party because of certain faults. I look at our politics like this: in my household, I am the head and so is Zuma in South Africa. The citizens are the children, my children can’t disown me as a father because of a few faults. We should rather focus on how to prevent these wrong for future purposes.

Itumeleng Thibiri, 26 : This whole thing was unecessary considering the fact that this is not the president’s first inauguration. It would’ve been easier to swear him in at the Union Buildings, let people go about their business than to have all the formalities. The entire thing was a waste of money. The jets and planes had to practise their routines from Wednesday and we all know expensive its fuel is.

Sandiso Ndovela, 22: Amid the scandals, exploitation of state funds and self gain, I find it hard to understand that the same person gets to be inuagurated again. To me, it seems as though the president empowers his clique rather than the country and that is wrong. I am sceptical about the change he spoke about bringing but I still hope it all gets fulfilled, we need it.

Ronald Degee, 65: I am very happy. I am proud. With President Zuma, a lot has changed. I am here because it is better to be here to watch and celebrate with the people than to be at home all by myself – I am enjoying the over all vibe here.

Vuyo Majubana, 17: I wasn’t that surprised that President Jacob Zuma is being sworn in again, we knew that if the party won he would be elected as parliamentary leader again. It’s good to know what is happening around us and to carry that information around with us and that is why I am here. I am keen on knowing more. As a country, we should be further than we are in the celebartion of democracy. And as an inspiring politics student, I feel that I should do instead of complaining – and I will.