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ANC begins bitter leadership vote ANC begins bitter leadership vote
(about 1 hour later)
Members of South Africa's governing ANC are voting to elect a party leader in a contest between President Thabo Mbeki and his arch-rival Jacob Zuma.Members of South Africa's governing ANC are voting to elect a party leader in a contest between President Thabo Mbeki and his arch-rival Jacob Zuma.
The vote at the party's conference comes after two days of debate that revealed the deep divisions. The vote comes after two days of debate that revealed the deep divisions.
Mr Mbeki is seeking a third term at the helm of the ANC, but the party's number two, Jacob Zuma, is favourite to win. A BBC correspondent says persistent rain has dampened the delegates' spirits and there is less singing and dancing than on previous days.
Correspondents say that if elected, Mr Zuma will become the frontrunner to take over as president in 2009.Correspondents say that if elected, Mr Zuma will become the frontrunner to take over as president in 2009.
After two terms as head of state, Mr Mbeki will be obliged to step down but, should he win the party leadership contest, he could work to prevent Mr Zuma reaching the presidency.After two terms as head of state, Mr Mbeki will be obliged to step down but, should he win the party leadership contest, he could work to prevent Mr Zuma reaching the presidency.
Also, Mr Zuma could still face corruption charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal. LEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthAccused of not doing enough to reduce povertyWon bid to host 2010 football World CupSeen as aloofFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsBacked by trade unions, Communist PartySeen as charismaticFrom Zulu ethnic group class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3499695.stm">Mbeki: Born into struggle class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/4615019.stm">Zuma: Comeback kid Mr Zuma could still face corruption charges in connection with a multi-million dollar arms deal.
Mr Mbeki arrived to cast his vote shortly after lunch. Asked how his campaign was going, he replied: "So far so good".
The BBC's Peter Biles at the conference says the singing that echoed around the University of Limpopo campus in support of the rival candidates on Monday has largely subsided, and campaigning of any kind is banned in the immediate vicinity of the polling station.
Kingmaker voteKingmaker vote
Early on Tuesday some of the almost 4,000 members of the African National Congress began queuing to cast their votes at the conference in the northern town of Polokwane. Almost 4,000 ANC members began queuing early on Tuesday to cast their votes for the leadership.
LEADERSHIP RIVALS Thabo Mbeki, 65 Succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in 1999Presided over economic growthAccused of not doing enough to reduce povertyWon bid to host 2010 football World CupSeen as aloofFrom Xhosa ethnic group Jacob Zuma, 65 Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsBacked by trade unions, Communist PartySeen as charismaticFrom Zulu ethnic group class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3499695.stm">Mbeki: Born into struggle class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/4615019.stm">Zuma: Comeback kid The single polling station opened two hours late after a delay with the printing of ballot papers. Results are expected later on Tuesday.
The single polling station opened two hours late after a delay with the printing of ballot papers. Voting is expected to continue throughout Tuesday. 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 Correspondents say it has been the most divisive contest in the long history of the ANC - for some this is a sign of a healthy democracy in action while others fear the split in the ANC could spell trouble for South Africa.
Correspondents say it has been the most divisive contest in the long history of the ANC - for some this is a sign of a healthy democracy in action while others fear the split in the ANC could spell trouble for South Africa.
Delegates were warned to behave or face disciplinary action on Monday after rival supporters tried to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes.Delegates were warned to behave or face disciplinary action on Monday after rival supporters tried to out-sing each other amid chaotic scenes.
Zuma supporters sang the anti-apartheid song Bring Me My Machine-gun, during pro-Mbeki speeches while Mbeki supporters retorted by singing Mbeki, My President.Zuma supporters sang the anti-apartheid song Bring Me My Machine-gun, during pro-Mbeki speeches while Mbeki supporters retorted by singing Mbeki, My President.
Mr Mbeki had been booed and heckled during his opening speech on Sunday.Mr Mbeki had been booed and heckled during his opening speech on Sunday.
Mandela 'saddened'Mandela 'saddened'
This is the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.This is the ANC's first leadership contest in 58 years.
In an address lasting nearly three hours on Sunday, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".In an address lasting nearly three hours on Sunday, Mr Mbeki did not mention Mr Zuma by name but stressed the need for "ethical leadership".
South African viewpointsIn pictures
Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false. Growing unpopularity with Mr Mbeki's style of leadership has made Mr Zuma favourite to win.Mr Mbeki said claims by the Zuma camp that he had centralised power were false. Growing unpopularity with Mr Mbeki's style of leadership has made Mr Zuma favourite to win.
Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa.Mr Zuma's supporters believe he would do more to reduce poverty in South Africa.
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. He was also acquitted of rape charges - which he said were politically motivated.The case against Mr Zuma was thrown out by a judge last year. He was also acquitted of rape charges - which he said were politically motivated.
HAVE YOUR SAY The rise of Zuma is rooted in popular despair Southeaster, UK/exSA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The rise of Zuma is rooted in popular despair Southeaster, UK/exSA Send us your comments
Mr Zuma provoked outrage among Aids activists over the case when he said he had showered after sex with the HIV-positive woman to prevent infection.Mr Zuma provoked outrage among Aids activists over the case when he said he had showered after sex with the HIV-positive woman to prevent infection.
Former President Nelson Mandela has said he is saddened by "the nature of the differences currently in the organisation".Former President Nelson Mandela has said he is saddened by "the nature of the differences currently in the organisation".
The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has said neither Mr Zuma or Mr Mbeki were suitable candidates.The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has said neither Mr Zuma or Mr Mbeki were suitable candidates.