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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| ANC leadership contest kicks off | ANC leadership contest kicks off |
| (4 days later) | |
| South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and his former deputy Jacob Zuma have both formally confirmed their bids to lead the governing party. | South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and his former deputy Jacob Zuma have both formally confirmed their bids to lead the governing party. |
| Mr Zuma is favourite to win the African National Congress leadership elections later this month even though he is being probed on corruption charges. | Mr Zuma is favourite to win the African National Congress leadership elections later this month even though he is being probed on corruption charges. |
| If Mr Zuma wins he is likely to become South Africa's next president in 2009. | If Mr Zuma wins he is likely to become South Africa's next president in 2009. |
| Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki has said he is not ruling out an early national election if he loses the ANC presidency. | Meanwhile, Mr Mbeki has said he is not ruling out an early national election if he loses the ANC presidency. |
| In an interview in South Africa's Sunday Independent newspaper, Mr Mbeki said an election was possible, but the decision lay with the ANC. | In an interview in South Africa's Sunday Independent newspaper, Mr Mbeki said an election was possible, but the decision lay with the ANC. |
| Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but if he remained ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeded him as national leader. | Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but if he remained ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeded him as national leader. |
| Uncharted territory | Uncharted territory |
| By filing his nomination papers, Mr Mbeki has formally launches the election contest between himself and Mr Zuma. | By filing his nomination papers, Mr Mbeki has formally launches the election contest between himself and Mr Zuma. |
| JACOB ZUMA Top figure in fight against apartheidSeen as less business-friendly than MbekiSacked as deputy president in 2005Corruption trial stoppedAcquitted on rape charges Zuma: Comeback kid class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3499695.stm">Mkebi: Born to struggle | |
| The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the contest is uncharted territory for the ANC, which has not had a leadership contest on this scale for more than 50 years. | The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the contest is uncharted territory for the ANC, which has not had a leadership contest on this scale for more than 50 years. |
| While business supports Mr Mbeki, Mr Zuma has the backing of the left and the trade union movement. | While business supports Mr Mbeki, Mr Zuma has the backing of the left and the trade union movement. |
| Mr Zuma filed his nomination papers from London, where he has been on a private visit. | Mr Zuma filed his nomination papers from London, where he has been on a private visit. |
| He has been touring foreign capitals to assure investors that there will be no significant change in policy if he wins. | He has been touring foreign capitals to assure investors that there will be no significant change in policy if he wins. |