The victory puts Ramaphosa in line to succeed President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been plagued by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and growing anger at the once-omnipotent party. By AFPMore by this AuthorJOHANNESBURGSouth African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was elected head of the ruling ANC party Monday, winning a bruising race that exposed deep rifts within the organisation that led the struggle against apartheid. "We declare comrade Cyril Ramaphosa the new president of the African National Congress," an election official told party delegates in Johannesburg. The victory puts Ramaphosa in line to succeed President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been plagued by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and growing anger at the once-omnipotent party. Thousands of raucous Ramaphosa supporters sang and chanted in the conference hall as rival backers of defeated candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma appeared dejected.

Source: Daily Nation December 18, 2017 17:13 UTC