There will be some "fake smiles" at Jacob Zuma's inauguration as president on Saturday, said ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

This would come from those who had conspired against Zuma, he told reporters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where Zuma was to be sworn in before noon.

They would be "giving their fake smiles" during the ceremony.

"They must come and witness because they have lost. They must come and witness what they said was not possible," said Malema.

He also had a last word for former president Thabo Mbeki as guests took their seats for the inauguration.

"He must come and witness what he stood against," said Malema, who was part of a group of vocal supporters who led the charge for Zuma to be installed as head of state.

"To him it will not be a nice day," said Malema.

Mbeki was forced to resign last year during a power struggle that also set off the formation of breakaway party Cope by people sympathetic to him.

Malema chose a grey suit with an open-necked white shirt for the occasion, with a blue kerchief poking out of a top pocket.

He said the day marked the end of "eight years of hell", in reference to the rape and corruption allegations Zuma had to overcome.

This period saw him being fired as deputy president and then later dramatically rising to head the ruling ANC.

Malema said the inauguration was a victory for the people of South Africa, especially the working class.

The youth league was proud to have played a part in Zuma's rise to the presidency.

It would keep a close watch to give him the thumbs up or vocal nudge in the right direction.

Malema was confident Zuma would be open to advice, saying: "He's not Mr Know-it-all, he accepts criticism."

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