Zuma on track to succeed Mbeki as ANC leader

SOUTH AFRICA’S ruling ANC, torn by the worst rift in its history, yesterday began a conference expected to put controversial politician Jacob Zuma on track to become the country’s next president.

A bitter struggle between supporters of Mr Zuma and current South African President Thabo Mbeki for leadership of the party has divided the previously monolithic ANC, which has led Africa’s biggest economy since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Reflecting the concern of party veterans, Nelson Mandela told delegates: “Of course it saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation.”

Mr Mbeki defended his record in his opening speech, but acknowledged the gravity of the divisions. “Unacceptable tendencies have emerged within our movement, which threaten the very survival of the ANC,” he said.

Mr Zuma, a populist who has recovered from a corruption scandal and a rape trial, in which he was acquitted, is almost certain to become president when Mr Mbeki steps down in 2009 if he wins leadership of the dominant African National Congress.

He has already secured a strong majority of party branch nominations but Mr Mbeki is still fighting to fend off the challenge and secure his third term as ANC leader.

This would give him strong influence over the choice of next president, even though he is barred from standing again himself.

But almost all bets are on Mr Zuma. Delegates said Mr Mbeki had missed a chance to rally support, instead making a three-hour speech on his policies that sent some delegates to sleep.

“It was too detailed and it lacked a lot of passion,” said tycoon Tokyo Sexwale, who backs Mr Zuma.

The ANC said the results of leadership voting, which was held last night, would be released today.

Mr Mbeki, who took over the party from Mr Mandela in 1997 and then the country in 1999, accused some ANC members of dishonesty:

“This is the practice that again is entirely foreign to our movement — the practice of using untruths, of resorting to dishonest means and deceit to achieve particular goals.”

Mr Mbeki fired Mr Zuma, then the country’s deputy president, in 2005 after he was linked with a corruption scandal surrounding an arms deal.

Many poor South Africans regard him as a man of the people who can bring the benefits of black majority rule to the poor.