Fireworks greet new ANC president

By Juanita Williams

Thousands of ANC delegates erupted into wild cheers when it was announced that Jacob Zuma is the president of the ruling party.

Zuma, the former deputy president of South Africa and the ANC, was the front-runner in the race for the top position since preparations for the conference in Polokwane started.

Now the ANC has to face the possibility of renewed corruption charges against the leader - a situation that secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe described as "very difficult" at a press conference hours before the result was announced.

The marquee where the announcement was made filled with the sound of chanting and dancing - and fireworks.

The votes for the ANC's top six were counted manually after a demand from delegates at the conference.