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ANC gathers to choose leader to replace Jacob Zuma | ANC gathers to choose leader to replace Jacob Zuma |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) is preparing to choose a new party leader to succeed President Jacob Zuma. | South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) is preparing to choose a new party leader to succeed President Jacob Zuma. |
The main candidates are the current deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma's ex-wife. | The main candidates are the current deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma's ex-wife. |
Whoever wins is likely to succeed Mr Zuma as South African president. | Whoever wins is likely to succeed Mr Zuma as South African president. |
But their bitter leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019. | But their bitter leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019. |
President Zuma can remain head of state until those elections. He has been in office since 2009 and South Africa limits the presidency to two five-year terms. | President Zuma can remain head of state until those elections. He has been in office since 2009 and South Africa limits the presidency to two five-year terms. |
As delegates gathered for the four-day conference in Johannesburg, Mr Zuma, who faces multiple corruption allegations, has urged the party to unite behind the eventual winner. | As delegates gathered for the four-day conference in Johannesburg, Mr Zuma, who faces multiple corruption allegations, has urged the party to unite behind the eventual winner. |
The leadership contest is expected to be a close one, with legal challenges a possibility. | The leadership contest is expected to be a close one, with legal challenges a possibility. |
ANC makes university pledge | |
By Lebo Diseko, BBC News, Johannesburg | |
President Zuma's office has announced that students from around 90% of South African households will get access to free university education. | |
There have been a number of protests over the issue over the past few years, with the #FeesMustFall movement demanding free university education for all. | |
Some might question the timing of Mr Zuma's announcement, at the start of a conference where so much is at stake both for him and the party. | |
Analysts have also been discussing what might happen to Jacob Zuma after this conference, and whether the ANC will force him to stand down as President of the country. | |
Local media are reporting that he says he will only agree to a decision by the party to recall him as head of state "if the move did not risk further dividing the ANC". | |
President Zuma is backing his 68-year-old former wife, Ms Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran politician in her own right who has been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses. | President Zuma is backing his 68-year-old former wife, Ms Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran politician in her own right who has been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses. |
Mr Ramaphosa, 65, has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community. | Mr Ramaphosa, 65, has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community. |
Recent news that he had a modest lead in the polls was quickly reflected by a rise in the financial markets. | Recent news that he had a modest lead in the polls was quickly reflected by a rise in the financial markets. |
President Zuma, 75, has been the focus of much controversy and he has survived several votes of no confidence in parliament. | President Zuma, 75, has been the focus of much controversy and he has survived several votes of no confidence in parliament. |
He faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing. | He faces numerous corruption allegations but denies any wrongdoing. |
More than 5,000 delegates are taking part in the four-day ANC elective conference at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg. | More than 5,000 delegates are taking part in the four-day ANC elective conference at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg. |
The first major engagement for the new leader will be the ANC anniversary celebrations on 8 January. | The first major engagement for the new leader will be the ANC anniversary celebrations on 8 January. |
The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago. | The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago. |
The BBC's Andrew Harding says a question remains whether the ANC is in terminal decline, and what that might mean for South Africa's stability and its future. |