Political leader wins a crucial ANC battle

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, whose presidency has been upended by claims that he tried to cover up the theft of a huge sum of cash at his farm, emerged wellplaced to win a second term as leader of the governing African National Congress, and president of the country, after nominations by his party’s rank and file were released on Tuesday.

The ANC revealed that 3,543 branches across the country had submitted nominations for leadership positions that will be contested during a national party conference that begins on Dec. 16 in Johannesburg.

National elections are set for 2024, and the ANC has won an outright majority of votes in every national contest since 1994.

Ramaphosa won nominations from 2,037 branches, more than double that of his closest challenger, Zweli Mkhize.