[Cyril Ramaphosa (right) with Raila Odinga. He is the new ANC president after beating his close rival Dlamini Zuma in South Africa’s most contested party leadership. Photo/Dennis]
Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African business mogul and Deputy President will serve as African National Congress President for the next five years.
In a stiff contest during the ANC's 54th National Congress, Ramaphosa edged out Dlamini Zuma, Ex-wife to President Jacob Juma in a closely contested race.
With the incumbent reportedly favoring Ms. Zuma, Ramaphosa, who enjoys close ties with Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga garnered 2440 votes to Zuma's 2261 votes.
In 2008, the government of Kenya declined Ramaphosa's entry to the country when African Union nominated him to arbitrate rivalry between President Mwai Kibaki and Odinga.
At that time, PNU wing questioned Ramaphosa's impartiality citing his political and business ties with Odinga, who had claimed victory in 2007 elections.
A fortnight ago, Odinga met Rampahosa and South African politician Lindiwe Sisulu in Zanzibar and it is the meeting where Raila's decision to suspend swearing-in plans was brokered.
"He met Ramaphosa and had a lengthy meeting. It was however about governance and nothing else," a source within ODM revealed.
"They have been meeting for a while and this is not news at all. We expect such meeings in future," the source, who spoke in confidence added.
Also elected are David Mabuza (Deputy President), Gwende Mantashe (National Chair) andJessie Duarte who won the powerful Secretary General post.
While winning ANC presidency is not a direct guarantee of winning the country's presidency, chances are that Ramaphosa shall win the 2019 elections given that all presidents have always come from the Africa's iconic party known for fight against apartheid rule.