South Africa’s ANC picks Cyril Ramaphosa as leader

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has selected Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma as the party’s leader. The country’s deputy president defeated former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Mr Zuma’s ex-wife, after a marathon voting process.

Mr Ramaphosa is in a strong position to become president in 2019 polls.

The leadership battle caused fierce political infighting, raising fears the party might split before the election.

Mr Ramaphosa defeated Ms Dlamini-Zuma by 2,440 votes to 2,261, an ANC spokesperson announced.

The result triggered celebrations among party delegates in Johannesburg and also on the streets of the city.

Media reports said earlier that the announcement had been delayed, with Ms Dlamini-Zuma’s camp demanding a recount.

The voting process started on Sunday.

What were the differences between the two candidates?

Mr Ramaphosa, 65, has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community.

He campaigned as the anti-Zuma candidate, promising to target corruption, and his victory could mean that the ANC decides to recall Mr Zuma as national president in the next few weeks.

The Supreme Court ruled in October that Mr Zuma  should face corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering charges.

The ANC recalled Mr Zuma’s predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, in 2008 after Mr Zuma replaced him as ANC leader the previous year.

Ms Dlamini-Zuma, 68, had been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses and had pledged to tackle what she said was continued racial inequality.

Analysts said that Mr Zuma had backed his former wife.

The ANC election came amid declining support for the party, though opinion polls still suggest backing of about 50%.

The ANC has been torn apart by infighting of late, and the leadership battle was particularly bitter.

There is much work ahead for the new leader of the liberation movement.

Not only does Mr Ramaphosa need to unite his party, he also needs to convince the electorate that the ANC still represents the issues of the people it fought to hard to bring freedom to.

BBC

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