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ANC leadership contest kicks off ANC leadership contest kicks off
(about 1 hour later)
The contest for the leadership of South Africa's governing African National Congress has formally begun.The contest for the leadership of South Africa's governing African National Congress has formally begun.
Ex-vice-president Jacob Zuma is a frontrunner, despite his sacking in 2005 over a corruption scandal.Ex-vice-president Jacob Zuma is a frontrunner, despite his sacking in 2005 over a corruption scandal.
Thabo Mbeki cannot run for South African president again after serving two terms, but has indicated he may run again for the party leadership.Thabo Mbeki cannot run for South African president again after serving two terms, but has indicated he may run again for the party leadership.
The battle is crucial as the next ANC president would be the overwhelming favourite to win presidential polls.The battle is crucial as the next ANC president would be the overwhelming favourite to win presidential polls.
Mr Zuma, who remains ANC deputy leader, has wide support amongst the party's grassroots and he was thought of as the natural successor until his sacking by Mr Mbeki.Mr Zuma, who remains ANC deputy leader, has wide support amongst the party's grassroots and he was thought of as the natural successor until his sacking by Mr Mbeki.
The future ANC leader must first be nominated by ANC branches around the country.The future ANC leader must first be nominated by ANC branches around the country.
Last week, Mr Zuma was given the endorsement of South Africa's powerful trades union federation, Cosatu. Two weeks ago, Mr Zuma was given the endorsement of South Africa's powerful trades union federation, Cosatu.
The ANC responded with a statement expressing its "unequivocal rejection of this totally unacceptable attempt to tell the ANC how it should constitute its leadership".The ANC responded with a statement expressing its "unequivocal rejection of this totally unacceptable attempt to tell the ANC how it should constitute its leadership".
Stop Zuma campaignStop Zuma campaign
The BBC's Peter Greste in Johannesburg says the battle between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma has already deeply divided the party and there are now calls for a compromise candidate - someone who would be less divisive and therefore less damaging to the ANC.The BBC's Peter Greste in Johannesburg says the battle between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma has already deeply divided the party and there are now calls for a compromise candidate - someone who would be less divisive and therefore less damaging to the ANC.
Amongst them are the businessmen, Tokyo Sexwale and former ANC negotiator and union leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.Amongst them are the businessmen, Tokyo Sexwale and former ANC negotiator and union leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr Zuma was sacked in 2005 after his financial adviser was convicted of fraud.Mr Zuma was sacked in 2005 after his financial adviser was convicted of fraud.
He was then put on trial on corruption charges - but the case collapsed when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.He was then put on trial on corruption charges - but the case collapsed when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.
Mr Zuma also stood trial for an alleged rape - but was acquitted on that charge.Mr Zuma also stood trial for an alleged rape - but was acquitted on that charge.
His supporters say all the charges against him were political.His supporters say all the charges against him were political.