World

South Africa ruling party's fight for its future kicks off

16 of December 2017

FILE -- In this Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016 file photo, South African President Jacob Zuma, attends the declaration announcement of the municipal elections in Pretoria, South Africa. As the African National Congress meets this weekend to choose a successor to scandal-ridden Zuma, the race between his deputy and ex-wife threatens to split Nelson Mandela's legacy. (AP Photo/Herman Verwey, File),FILE -- In this Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016 file photo, South African President Jacob Zuma, attends the declaration announcement of the municipal elections in Pretoria, South Africa. As the African National Congress meets this weekend to choose a successor to scandal-ridden Zuma, the race between his deputy and ex-wife threatens to split Nelson Mandela's legacy. (AP Photo/Herman Verwey, File)

The fight to replace South Africa's scandal-prone President Jacob Zuma is set to begin as thousands of delegates of the ruling African National Congress gather to elect a new leader. The reputation of Nelson Mandela's liberation movement has been battered during the tenure of Zuma, whose second term as party president is up. The new ANC leader is likely to become South Africa's next president in 2019 elections.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The fight to replace South Africa’s scandal-prone President Jacob Zuma is set to begin as thousands of delegates of the ruling African National Congress gather to elect a new leader.

The reputation of Nelson Mandela’s liberation movement has been battered during the tenure of Zuma, whose second term as party president is up. The new ANC leader is likely to become South Africa’s next president in 2019 elections.

The two clear front-runners are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former chair of the African Union Commission and Zuma’s ex-wife.

Voters are frustrated with the ANC as Zuma’s administration has been mired in scandal and corruption allegations. Observers say the party needs to restore its reputation or it could be forced into a governing coalition for the first time.