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S.Africa’s Zuma on track for second term

South African President Jacob Zuma (L) and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe take a salute before his State of the Nation address at Parliament in Cape Town, February 9, 2012. REUTERS/Schalk van Zuydam/Pool

By Peroshni Govender

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s President

Jacob Zuma is the favourite to win a second term to lead the ruling ANC in a race dominated by factional politics instead of

policy reforms for Africa’s most powerful economy.

More than a dozen

insiders in the ruling African National Congress told Reuters that Zuma had the race in hand even though there are strong

factions in the party who want him out and could make things difficult.

“It’s Zuma’s race to lose,” said one senior

ANC member.

The winner of December’s party vote is almost certain to be its nominee in the 2014 presidential

election. Since the ANC enjoys virtual one-party rule, its nominee is almost assured of winning the five year term as

president.

The race will be fought at the local level with little attention paid to warnings from all three of the

major global credit ratings agencies who have said the economy is on the wrong track under Zuma, posing long-term risks to

stability.

The battle to lead the 100-year-old ANC according to party insiders is a two-horse race between Zuma and

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Zuma has a commanding lead in delegates and unless Motlanthe make huge strides by

the electoral conference in December, Zuma should secure victory.

Motlanthe, or any other candidate, is not going to

openly declare their challenge to Zuma due to a party culture where raising one’s hand too early is tantamount to political

suicide.

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