Deafening roar greets Zuma
2007-12-18 22:25
Polokwane - Delegates dances on tables, shouted with joy and hugged each other deliriously as Jacob Zuma swept to victory in the race for the presidency of the ANC.
Zuma received 2 329 votes against his predecessor Thabo Mbeki's 1 505 votes.
Zuma and Mbeki then walked onto the stage together, with Mbeki smiling and Zuma looking slightly shocked, while fireworks went off outside.
As they approached the front of the stage, Mbeki turned to Zuma and hugged him and clasped his hand, then was led off the stage.
Zuma sat by himself in the hot seat at the top six table and it was only when he looked out into the hall, to the strobe of photographers flashes that he started to smile.
Former secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe was voted deputy president with 2 346 votes against Zuma's former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who received 1 444 votes.
She was booed before her result was announced, but when she and Motlanthe walked onto the stage hand in hand the crowds cheered. She congratulated Zuma, and the two hugged.
Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete became the first woman in the Zuma team with 2 326, followed by government communications head Joel Netshitenzhe with 1 475.
"There is our first woman, that's the first woman," said one delegate excitedly, who did not want to be named.
Gwede Mantashe was elected was elected secretary-general with 2 378 against former chairperson and Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota's 1 432.
Thandi Modise was voted deputy secretary general with 2 304 against Thoko Didiza's 1 455.
Former Mpumalanga premier Mathews Phosa was treasurer general voted 2 328 against deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's 1 374.
The group immediately began singing changing songs from Scorpions you must tell us what Zuma has done, in reference to the renewed corruption charges that Zuma may face and Iyo badlala nge Freedom Charter - they are playing with the Freedom Charter.
Non-voting delegates then left the room for the nominations for the remaining 80 positions of the NEC.
- SAPA