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Zuma's ANC bid gains key backer Zuma's ANC bid gains key backer
(about 1 hour later)
Jacob Zuma's campaign to become the leader of South Africa's governing African National Congress has been backed by powerbroker Tokyo Sexwale.Jacob Zuma's campaign to become the leader of South Africa's governing African National Congress has been backed by powerbroker Tokyo Sexwale.
Mr Sexwale, who had been mooted as one of Mr Zuma's rivals, joined him on a public platform, days before party delegates are to take a vote. Mr Sexwale, who had been mooted as one of Mr Zuma's rivals, joined him on a public platform days before party delegates are to take a vote.
Mr Sexwale has now been nominated for the party's chairmanship.Mr Sexwale has now been nominated for the party's chairmanship.
He has denied local reports that he is funding the Zuma campaign against that of President Thabo Mbeki.He has denied local reports that he is funding the Zuma campaign against that of President Thabo Mbeki.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Sexwale's support for Mr Zuma would be crucial.BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Sexwale's support for Mr Zuma would be crucial.
Strength to strengthStrength to strength
Mr Sexwale turned up to support Mr Zuma at a public lecture at Johannesburg's Wits University to mark international human rights. Mr Sexwale turned up to support Mr Zuma at a public lecture at Johannesburg's Wits University to mark international human rights day.
The businessman brushed aside reporters' questions about divisions in the ANC although he acknowledged the race for the leadership was "robust" and "filled with tension".The businessman brushed aside reporters' questions about divisions in the ANC although he acknowledged the race for the leadership was "robust" and "filled with tension".
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 He told the BBC that no one person would pull the ANC in any direction as it is built around "strong collective leadership" and that this would pull the party back together. 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 He told the BBC that no one person would pull the ANC in any direction as it was built around "strong collective leadership" and that this would pull the party back together.
The leadership contest will be decided at next week's ANC national conference at Polokwane.The leadership contest will be decided at next week's ANC national conference at Polokwane.
Five provincial branches back Mr Zuma, as well as the Women's League and the Youth League.Five provincial branches back Mr Zuma, as well as the Women's League and the Youth League.
Four branches backed Mr Mbeki. Four branches back Mr Mbeki.
Our correspondent says that although Mr Zuma could potentially still face corruption charges, he now seems almost certain to win the ANC leadership and that would make him favourite to become South Africa's next president in 2009. Our correspondent says that although Mr Zuma could potentially still face corruption charges, he now seems almost certain to win the ANC leadership - and that would make him favourite to become South Africa's next president in 2009.
Mr Mbeki is due to step down as national leader in two years, after serving two terms in office.Mr Mbeki is due to step down as national leader in two years, after serving two terms in office.