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| 'Nothing to fear' from SA's Zuma | 'Nothing to fear' from SA's Zuma |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Jacob Zuma, the favourite to become the next leader of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied that he would change economic policy. | Jacob Zuma, the favourite to become the next leader of South Africa's African National Congress, has denied that he would change economic policy. |
| He is seen as the candidate of the ANC's left wing, which criticises President Thabo Mbeki for being too business-friendly. | He is seen as the candidate of the ANC's left wing, which criticises President Thabo Mbeki for being too business-friendly. |
| Mr Mbeki said earlier the current acrimony in the ANC was the worst he has seen in his 50 years in the party. | Mr Mbeki said earlier the current acrimony in the ANC was the worst he has seen in his 50 years in the party. |
| The ANC is to choose its next leader at a meeting starting on Sunday. | The ANC is to choose its next leader at a meeting starting on Sunday. |
| Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president but was sacked after being charged with corruption in 2005. | Mr Zuma was formerly South Africa's deputy president but was sacked after being charged with corruption in 2005. |
| Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue Thabo Mbeki South Africa's widening divide | Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue Thabo Mbeki South Africa's widening divide |
| If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he would be the strong favourite for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009. | If he defeats Mr Mbeki in the leadership contest, he would be the strong favourite for the South African presidency after a general election that is due in 2009. |
| Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin there was no need to worry about him changing policy. | Mr Zuma told the BBC's Orla Guerin there was no need to worry about him changing policy. |
| "This is in fact an unnecessary concern," Mr Zuma said. | "This is in fact an unnecessary concern," Mr Zuma said. |
| "The ANC is going to move as it moves, and change its leadership as the time comes, but keeping its direction - so nothing is going to change." | "The ANC is going to move as it moves, and change its leadership as the time comes, but keeping its direction - so nothing is going to change." |
| Under Mr Mbeki, South Africa's national income has grown steadily but many poor people, who vote ANC, complain that they have not benefited. | Under Mr Mbeki, South Africa's national income has grown steadily but many poor people, who vote ANC, complain that they have not benefited. |
| Investigation | Investigation |
| Asked whether he would resign from his position if new corruption charges were brought against him, Mr Zuma said he would only do so if found guilty. | Asked whether he would resign from his position if new corruption charges were brought against him, Mr Zuma said he would only do so if found guilty. |
| "Allegations don't mean the man is guilty," he said. | "Allegations don't mean the man is guilty," he said. |
| You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together Thabo Mbeki Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kid "Why should I step down when charged?" | You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together Thabo Mbeki Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kid "Why should I step down when charged?" |
| ANC structures in five of South Africa's nine provinces have indicated their support for Mr Zuma, in a contest that has become highly personalised. | ANC structures in five of South Africa's nine provinces have indicated their support for Mr Zuma, in a contest that has become highly personalised. |
| In an interview in the Mail & Guardian newspaper on Friday, Mr Mbeki said the acrimony within the ANC had reached unprecedented levels in the run-up to the leadership contest. | In an interview in the Mail & Guardian newspaper on Friday, Mr Mbeki said the acrimony within the ANC had reached unprecedented levels in the run-up to the leadership contest. |
| "The conflict is new even to ANC members older than I am," the president said. | "The conflict is new even to ANC members older than I am," the president said. |
| Asked whether there had been mistakes during his presidency, Mr Mbeki replied: "The disadvantage I have is that nobody says that. Nobody in the ANC stands up and says: you are doing the wrong things." | Asked whether there had been mistakes during his presidency, Mr Mbeki replied: "The disadvantage I have is that nobody says that. Nobody in the ANC stands up and says: you are doing the wrong things." |
| When the interviewers put it to him that this silence might be because of fear, the president said he was puzzled at this. | When the interviewers put it to him that this silence might be because of fear, the president said he was puzzled at this. |
| "I've heard this, and I don't understand it. Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue." | "I've heard this, and I don't understand it. Do I look as if I've got horns? It's said that I block and inhibit open discussion - that's puzzling to me, it's completely untrue." |
| Succession struggle | Succession struggle |
| Mr Mbeki said he regretted that the divisions in the party had become centred on people rather than policies. | Mr Mbeki said he regretted that the divisions in the party had become centred on people rather than policies. |
| "You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together," he warned. | "You can't unite the ANC by getting opposing candidates to drink coffee together," he warned. |
| "People must be elected to positions in the ANC, not to lead factions." | "People must be elected to positions in the ANC, not to lead factions." |
| Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma, once close allies, publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations. HAVE YOUR SAY The ANC rift is a good thing. The break-up may end the ANC's monopoly on power. Nya, US class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3936&edition=1">Send us your comments | |
| He could potentially still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal. | He could potentially still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal. |
| Mr Zuma was also charged with rape but was acquitted - he says the charges were political. | Mr Zuma was also charged with rape but was acquitted - he says the charges were political. |
| Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but correspondents say if he were to remain ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeds him as national leader. | Mr Mbeki has already served two terms and cannot lead the country again, but correspondents say if he were to remain ANC leader he would be in a good position to decide who succeeds him as national leader. |