Support for Jacob Zuma's ascension to the Presidency appears to far outstrip opposition in the African National Congress and its allies.

Already, the Congress of South African Trade Unions has called his presidential campaign "an unstoppable tsunami". The South African Communist Party supports him, as do the Young Communist League and the ANC Youth League.

Both leagues are king-makers, as their top dogs are likely to feature in the ANC's future leadership ranks. Most communist and Cosatu allies carry dual membership cards.

"The ANC is not an organisation of surprise leaders. It is very clear at any given time who will succeed whom. Our support for Zuma is unconditional," said youth league president Fikile Mbalula. The young communists said this week that Zuma was the only candidate who could keep the tripartite alliance intact.

A close political and personal ally of Zuma's said : "No other ANC person is senior enough [to be elected president]. Zuma can mould consensus. After 10 years of working toward macroeconomic stabilisation, we now need economic growth. The times are going to require a person who can forge a social agreement among [very different] role-players."

The source said Zuma had displayed such an ability before South Africa's democratic transition, winning support from disparate groups like the apartheid military and all strands of the ANC.

"He is a man who listens; he doesn't take the approach of an intellectual king," said the Zuma supporter, adding that Zuma's appointment by President Thabo Mbeki two weeks ago to head to all projects involving the "second economy" was, "in essence, an anointment [of Zuma as president]".

Had the corruption trial of Schabir Shaik damaged Zuma?

Zuma's popularity has gone through the window. He is seen to be a victim. [His public] see white old-order people prosecuting him; there's not a black advocate in sight. Instinctively, our people understand that this is a poor man with problems."

Political analyst Professor Suzan Booysen concurs : "In South Africa we love people who claim to be victims of media attack. The controversy has strengthened Zuma rather than undermined him."

Zuma's confidant revealed that the deputy president's cellphone "rings incessantly" with messages of support. He said : "This is about what kind of president we want - a Washington consensus president from the sophisticated business world who thinks the market will solve all our problems, or a president rooted among the poor."

With acknowledgements to Ferial Haffajee, Rapule Tabane and the Mail & Guardian.