After leaving Parliament "unceremoniously" almost four years ago, Jacob Zuma will return as head of State after he is sworn in as President at Pretoria's Union Buildings on Saturday.

The former African National Congress (ANC) underground intelligence head will start a new chapter in his life in front of an estimated 30 000 people, including almost 30 heads of State, when he takes over from Kgalema Motlanthe.

Zuma's family, which will reportedly include three of his wives, will be among those in the front seats, along with the many allies who helped propel him to the post.

Former President Thabo Mbeki, who initially fired him as deputy President in 2005, before being at the receiving end of a similar decision last year, has accepted the invitation to attend, according to the planners of the event.

Mo Shaik, brother of Schabir who was jailed for fraud and corruption amid allegations of trying to facilitate a bribe for Zuma from an arms company, said members of the family had been invited.

He would not say if the invitation was extended to his ailing brother who was released early from prison for health reasons.

But, said Mo: "I have been invited, I have accredited myself - for now the way I feel, I will be attending."

Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who said he would not like a Zuma Presidency, was spared the decision of whether to attend by a pre-arranged overseas engagement.

Zuma should be used to the fuss his public appearances generates, but on Saturday, it will be turned up a notch as the military gives him a show of the might that he will now command.

This will include a guard of honour by the National Ceremonial Guard, a 21-gun salute, a flight by four helicopters of the SA Air Force (SAAF), a massed fly past by aircraft of the SAAF, and a display by the Silver Falcons, with organisers holding thumbs the predicted rain will hold off.

He will also observe a flypast by the SAA Airbus A340-300 and two A340-600s and a final national salute, rounded off with the national anthem.

After being sworn in, Zuma is expected to walk down to the public lawn to say a few words to the thousands of people gathered there, where the songs "Mshini Wam" and "My President" are likely to be sung.

These people will have negotiated a maze of heavily guarded cordoned off streets and many will have taken up Metro Rail's offer of a free train ride to Pretoria from some Johannesburg stations.

"I am so happy," said Homeless Talk vendor Japhet Ndlovu, who was put through school by Zuma when his father was killed in political violence.

Like many around the country, he will watch the ceremony of one of the numerous live television broadcasts planned, from his home in Soweto.

Guests arriving in the country on Friday afternoon included Dominican Republic vice President Rafael Alburquerque, Democratic People's Republic of Korea President Yong Nam Kim, Côte D'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo and Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Swaziland's King Mswati III and Lesotho's King Letsie were among Friday's arrivals, in spite of calls by the South African Communist Party for Mswati not to attend.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was also expected and on Friday it was not immediately clear if he would be joined by Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister in the new unity government.

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre, the Institute for Democracy in South Africa and the Open Society Institute have put two lawyers on standby to make sure the South African government arrests Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir so that he can be handed over to the International Criminal Court to face a war crimes trial, if he changes his mind and decides to accept his invitation.

The theme for the inauguration will be: "Together celebrating a vibrant democracy and building a better life for all."

"The Inauguration Ceremony provides South Africa with an excellent opportunity to express its gratitude to many people across the world who have shared both difficult and happy moments with the people of South Africa," the foreign affairs department said of the function which is expected to cost over R70-million, excluding security expenses.

Zuma survived a rape acquittal and a lengthy prosecution for corruption, which was eventually dropped, on the journey to the top political post.

But on Saturday he will finally have the opportunity to say the words "So help me God" that will seal his title.