afrol News, 5 September - For the first time since it came to power in 1994, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has been caught up in succession wrangling. So many people have reportedly expressed interest in leading the party and South Africa. But a businessman, Cyril Ramaphosa, whose name featured in the list of aspirants, said he had no interest in the presidency.

"As I have said in the past, I have no interest in standing for this position," Ramaphosa said in a statement.

Formerly a trade unionist, Ramaphosa served as the ANC's Chief Negotiator during talks that peacefully ceased apartheid in 1994. It also ushered in Nelson Mandela as the first black President of South Africa.

However, Cyril quitted politics after his interest to rule South Africa were aborted - he has lost the leadership race to Thabo Mbeki.

The successful businessman was responding to an article ran by 'The Sunday Times' that a strong ANC Eastern Cape Province District is at the brink of nominating him for the country’s top post.

The ANC, Africa’s longest serving political movement [95 years old], goes to the congress in December.

The party delegates will replace President Mbeki whose tenure expires in 2009. He said he has not ruled out running for another term of office.

Jacob Zuma, the former Deputy President and businessman, Tokyo Sexwale, have been openly campaigning to succeed Mbeki. According to ‘The Sunday Times’, some ANC officials had asked Mr Ramaphosa join the race to douse divisive battle between Mbeki and Zuma.

Political experts fear a split within the ANC - a party that mounted long years of struggle to fight against apartheid and black oppression in South Africa.

With 13 years in office, the ANC is proud of moving high economic growth in South Africa, although poverty continues to bite millions of the country’s citizens.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories