South Africa set for a new leader

September 25, 2008

South Africa’s parliament is due to choose an interim president, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki.

The new leader is expected to be Kgalema Motlanthe, who is currently the deputy head of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

Mr Motlanthe is seen as a calming figure who could help heal tensions in the divided party.

He will serve until polls next year, when Mr Mbeki’s rival, Jacob Zuma, is widely expected to become president.

Thabo Mbeki resigned on Sunday over claims of political interference in a corruption case against Mr Zuma.

He denies the allegations but said he was stepping down at the request of the ANC in the interests of party unity.

Kgalema Motlanthe will be elected at a parliamentary sitting in Cape Town.

He is a long-serving member of the ANC hierarchy and a man generally seen as a safe pair of hands, reports the BBC’s Southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles.

The immediate task will be to ensure a smooth political transition, given much talk of feuding and divisions within the ANC, our reporter adds.

Mr Mbeki’s departure has led to a flurry of resignations from the cabinet and caused uncertainty on the markets.