President Thabo Mbeki yesterday gave SA an undertaking that the African National Congress (ANC) would not change the constitution to allow him a third term in office, opening the way for Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to succeed him in 2009.

Speaking during an SABC television interview last night following his state of the nation address, Mbeki said: “For a long time, the ANC has taken a stand not to alter the constitution even with two-thirds majority support in government.”

Mbeki’s insistence that he will retire when his term ends lays to rest doubts about his intentions after he told the nation last year he was available to continue as ANC president when the party elects a new leader next year.

This bid to run for party office, seen together with last night’s rejection of a third term as head of state, points to a succession plan centered on Mbeki retaining the ANC presidency and potentially using it to pave the way for Mlambo-Ngcuka to take over the reins of state in 2009.

This may, however, be resisted by opposing factions as supporters of Mbeki and ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma jostle to choose a new leader for the party next year.

Mbeki’s bid to hold on to the party post has polarised the ruling party, where the race to succeed him has intensified since he sacked Zuma, a one-time presidential hopeful, from government last year.

The ANC’s succession battle drew in state security institutions when three senior managers of the National Intelligence Agency were ousted following allegations that they spied illegally on a Mbeki ally.

Last week the South African National Civics Organisation, a Mbeki-aligned junior alliance partner, called on the ANC to change the constitution to allow Mbeki a third term.

This has been rejected by the ANC Youth League, the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

Mbeki has staked his presidency on his leadership of the continent and has been vocal against African presidents holding on to power for too long.

With acknowledgements to Hopewell Radebe, Vukani Mde, Karima Brown and the Business Day.