ZUMA'S ANC BID GAINS KEY BACKER!
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 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.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Sexwale's support for Mr Zuma would be crucial.
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".
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.
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.
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".
JACOB ZUMA
Top figure in fight against apartheid
Seen as less business-friendly than Mbeki
Sacked as deputy president in 2005
Corruption trial stopped
Acquitted on rape charges
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.
Five provincial branches back Mr Zuma, as well as the Women's League and the Youth League.
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.
Mr Mbeki is due to step down as national leader in two years, after serving two terms in office.
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.
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.
Mr Mbeki is due to step down as national leader in two years, after serving two terms in office.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
posted by jackaranda at 8:53 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home