JOHANNESBURG, June 23 (Xinhua) -- New South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was sworn in office in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon and indicated afterwards she would be doing much the same job as Jacob Zuma who was sacked due to corruption last week.

    Mlambo-Ngcuka said she would be doing "the same tasks" as Zuma,which included "looking after the second economy," fighting HIV/AIDS and other tasks the president saw fit to give her.

    "I will be looking after women and youth," she said and asked the media to give her "some honeymoon" period in which to settle into the job.

    She swore the oath in her home language, Zulu, in the presence of family members including her parents, Michael and Khosi Mlambo,and her husband - former prosecutions boss Bulelani Ngcuka.

    Her daughter, Akona, 25, and her son, Luyolo Ngcuka, 18, were also present as were her brothers Zipho and Bonga Mlambo.

    Others sworn in were Mlambo-Ngcuka's successor as minerals and energy minister, Lindiwe Hendricks, and the two new deputy trade and industry ministers, Rob Davies and Elizabeth Thabethe.

    President Thabo Mbeki gave Mlambo-Ngcuka a big hug and a kiss after her swearing-in.

    "I am confident the people who have been sworn in today will make an important addition to the executive in terms of the work they have to do," he said.

    Mbeki said he had little doubt they would live up to the promises the government had made to the people. Enditem