In South Africa, Zuma Moves Closer To Re-Election

South Africa's ethnic Xhosa have announced their support of President Jacob Zuma in his bid to retain the ruling African National Congress' presidency. Located primarily in Eastern Cape province, the Xhosa constitute 18 percent of South Africa's population and 23 percent of the African National Congress membership base, so their support is critical for any aspiring party president. In fact, the ethnic group produced South Africa's first two democratically elected presidents: Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is challenging Zuma for their party's presidency, but Motlanthe was unable to garner appreciable support beyond his Northern Sotho constituency.

With the ruling party's leadership congress just two months away, Zuma has all but ensured his re-election as party president. And since South Africa's electoral system dictates that the ruling party chooses the country's president from within its ranks, he is likely to win another five-year term as president. Candidates will continue to politick until the leadership congress convenes Dec. 16. During that time, the labor disputes that have plagued South Africa will gradually subside.