Jacob Zuma has been elected leader of South Africa's ruling ANC after defeating President Thabo Mbeki in a vote at the party's conference.
After a bitter election contest, Mr Zuma was declared the winner by a margin of 824 votes.
Baleka Mbete, currently the speaker of parliament, was also elected the national chairman.
The result puts Mr Zuma, who was sacked as deputy head of state two years ago, in pole position to become head of state in 2009 when Mr Mbeki is constitutionally obliged to step down.
