Alice - Indications from the African National Congress at a Youth League rally over the weekend were that deputy president Jacob Zuma is seen as the person to take over the reigns from President Thabo Mbeki.

Zuma entered the leadership debate by warning that the ANC was bigger than the individuals in the organisation. "It is our responsibility to strengthen the organisation, and not the individuals within the organisation," he said.

He made these statements towards the end of his commemoration address at the University of Fort Hare in celebration of the ANC Youth League's 60th anniversary. About 1 500 supporters attended the celebrations at the university, which is regarded as the birthplace of the League.

Informed sources and senior members of the ANC told the media that Zuma was seen as the logical successor to Mbeki. All that apparently stood between him and the top job was a successful prosecution for his alleged involvement in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption case.

The president of the ANC Youth League, Fikile Mbalula, took a strong stand against "anonymous critics" within the ANC who "sneak around and speak to journalists" and try to cause confusion about who will be the next ANC leader.

"The ANC will never be confused over who will succeed President Thabo Mbeki," he said.

"The ANC is not led by surprise leaders. Those with an uncontrolled hunger for power must control themselves, because their time will come and the ANC will determine the pace at which that will happen."

Smuts Ngonyama, the ANC spokesperson, said on Sunday that no decision had been taken on who will take over from Mbeki. "The structures within the ANC will debate this issue at the appropriate time and a decision will then be taken."

Zuma, who was involved with the ANC Youth League while in exile, said it was important for the Youth League to discuss any differences with the government. Only when dialogue failed, should they take to mass action. "Then you can rest assured that I will join your march," he told the cheering crowd.

He called for unity between the ANC and its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, saying it was important that ANC members belonged to more than one of the alliance partners.

"Membership to more than one organisation in the alliance will add value to the ANC alliance and this can never be a negative thing. The one must never be used against the other."

With acknowledgements to Carien du Plessis and Die Burger.