SOUTH AFRICA:Jacob Zuma's hopes of becoming the next president of South Africa got a shot in the arm yesterday when his campaign received the formal backing of the country's powerful Cosatu trade union federation.
Mr Zuma, a controversial politician currently under investigation for corruption, was named as Cosatu's first choice for president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) - a post which normally guarantees the South African presidency.
The announcement by Cosatu, at a conference of its executive committee, is regarded as a major snub to president Thabo Mbeki, who recently said he would stand for a third term as ANC leader if asked.
Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the trade union group, described Mr Zuma as an important symbol among workers, citing growing discontent with the government's economic policies.
"What we have done is identify people who stand for our views," he told delegates, listing a number of other politicians who, he said, Cosatu would like to see in senior roles in the ANC.
While Cosatu does not have formal voting rights in the ANC leadership election, which is scheduled for December, it enjoys a considerable overlapping membership with the party.
The trade union group also holds a special position of influence in government by being a member of the ruling tripartite alliance, along with the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
In an indication of growing tensions in the alliance, SACP leader Blade Nzimande warned Cosatu delegates of a Zimbabwe-like authoritarian streak creeping into government.
"They [ Zimbabweans] kept quiet because they said this is a liberation movement that has fought a glorious struggle, and Zimbabwe was on a slippery slope," he said. "That is what we must not allow." Traditionally, the ANC has elected its president by consensus. But that seems highly unlikely unless a last-minute compromise candidate can be found.
Mr Mbeki has created a number of enemies in his two terms of office, and these include Mr Zuma who was sacked from government by the president over corruption allegations in 2005.