This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7147414.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
S Africa rivals in key ANC vote S Africa rivals in key ANC vote
(about 1 hour later)
Delegates from the African National Congress are due to vote on who becomes the next leader of South Africa's ruling party.Delegates from the African National Congress are due to vote on who becomes the next leader of South Africa's ruling party.
President Thabo Mbeki is locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership against his former ally, Jacob Zuma.President Thabo Mbeki is locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership against his former ally, Jacob Zuma.
Mr Zuma is a favourite to win despite being dogged by corruption charges.Mr Zuma is a favourite to win despite being dogged by corruption charges.
Mr Mbeki is barred from serving a third term as national president but the ANC's choice is likely to determine South Africa's next leader.Mr Mbeki is barred from serving a third term as national president but the ANC's choice is likely to determine South Africa's next leader.
HecklesHeckles
The contest between the two men has divided the party just as it is looking forward to its centenary in four years, says the BBC's Peter Biles at the conference in Polokwane.The contest between the two men has divided the party just as it is looking forward to its centenary in four years, says the BBC's Peter Biles at the conference in Polokwane.
LEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthWon bid to host 2010 football World CupFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidSeen as charismaticPlagued by corruption allegationsFrom Zulu ethnic group Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kidLEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthWon bid to host 2010 football World CupFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidSeen as charismaticPlagued by corruption allegationsFrom Zulu ethnic group Mbeki: Born into struggleZuma: Comeback kid
The conference got off to a rowdy start on Sunday as supporters of Mr Zuma heckled his opponents, including Mr Mbeki.The conference got off to a rowdy start on Sunday as supporters of Mr Zuma heckled his opponents, including Mr Mbeki.
He has to step down as the country's president in 2009 - after serving two terms.He has to step down as the country's president in 2009 - after serving two terms.
Delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.Delegates at the five-day congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, will see the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.
It had been expected the vote could be held on Sunday evening but, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday morning.It had been expected the vote could be held on Sunday evening but, after 11 gruelling hours, the congress broke up to reconvene on Monday morning.
Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma were sitting near each other on a podium as Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota got up to open the conference.Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma were sitting near each other on a podium as Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota got up to open the conference.
Some of Mr Zuma's supporters started heckling and booing - as Mr Lekota's speech was drowned with delegates singing the anti-apartheid song, Bring Me My Machine-gun, which has become Mr Zuma's anthem.Some of Mr Zuma's supporters started heckling and booing - as Mr Lekota's speech was drowned with delegates singing the anti-apartheid song, Bring Me My Machine-gun, which has become Mr Zuma's anthem.
Mbeki appealMbeki appeal
In his address lasting nearly three hours, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".In his address lasting nearly three hours, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".
He said the matters affecting Mr Zuma had been a difficult and painful challenge and the ANC needed to deal with the situation without delay.He said the matters affecting Mr Zuma had been a difficult and painful challenge and the ANC needed to deal with the situation without delay.
It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation Nelson Mandela class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7146778.stm">In pictures: ANC election class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3936&edition=1">Send us your comments href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_sa_leadership_battle/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_sa_leadership_battle/html/1.stm', '1197885111', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">South African viewpoints href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_sa_leadership_battle/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_sa_leadership_battle/html/1.stm', '1197885111', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
He said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false - sparking boos and hissing from the floor.He said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false - sparking boos and hissing from the floor.
Correspondents say if Mr Mbeki were to remain ANC leader he would be well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader in 2009.Correspondents say if Mr Mbeki were to remain ANC leader he would be well placed to decide who succeeds him as national leader in 2009.
Meanwhile, Mr Zuma, has conducted a vigorous campaign to wrest the leadership crown.Meanwhile, Mr Zuma, has conducted a vigorous campaign to wrest the leadership crown.
He has also been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges.He has also been warding off allegations of corruption and last year was acquitted of rape charges.
Over the weekend, former President Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."Over the weekend, former President Nelson Mandela said: "It saddens us to see and hear of the nature of the differences currently in the organisation."
On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma.On Friday, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, urged the ANC to reject Mr Zuma.
Once close allies, Mr Zuma and Mr Mbeki publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations.Once close allies, Mr Zuma and Mr Mbeki publicly fell out in 2005 when Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president over corruption allegations.
The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year but he could still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year but he could still face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.
Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa - he is backed by South Africa's Communist Party and trade union federation, both ANC allies.Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa - he is backed by South Africa's Communist Party and trade union federation, both ANC allies.
But last week, Mr Zuma told the BBC that the ANC economic policy was set by a committee, not an individual and he would not be changing direction.But last week, Mr Zuma told the BBC that the ANC economic policy was set by a committee, not an individual and he would not be changing direction.