Edition 05/07 2008-02-04 Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Focus South Africa SOUTH AFRICA OFFICE Publication for political and socio-economic issues in South Africa FOCUS South Africa Jacob Zuma elected as ANC President The end of the Mbeki era With 60 percent of the votes, Jacob Zuma was elected as president of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress(ANC). Insodoing, Zuma effectively handed his only opponent, current South African President Thabo Mbeki, a harsh defeat and is now seen as the most promising candidate for the national presidential elections in 2009. Controversy surrounds Zuma, be­cause of the rape and corruption charges which he currently faces(he may possibly be retried for the latter). “Various resolutions have been made at this conference, which will guide us on our way forward. ANC policies, including economic po­licies that have been adopted at this conference, do not indicate a fundamental shift from the policies that the ANC has adopted since it has come into power. Let me reiterate that decisions with regards to policies in the ANC are taken by participants of the conference and not by an individual.” Jacob Zuma in his statement at the closing of the ANC Conference