ANC picks Jacob Zuma as its leader

December 18, 2007

Jacob Zuma was elected leader of South Africa's ruling ANC Tuesday after defeating President Thabo Mbeki in a vote at the party's conference, a senior party official announced. Zuma won a total of 2,329 votes against 1,505 for Mbeki, Dren Nupen, head of the party's electoral commission, told the conference in Polokwane. The result puts Zuma in pole position to become head of state in 2009 when Mbeki's is constitutionally obliged to step down. Voiced report.