Deputy ANC president Jacob Zuma would accept defeat gracefully in Limpopo if that was what the delegates decided at this week's conference.

"As an ANC cadre I would be ready to accept any outcome ... ," Zuma said on Sunday while addressing 1 500 people at the South African Communist Party's Red October campaign in Randfontein, west of Johannesburg.

During his recent whirlwind tour to India, England and the US, Zuma also told investors he would accept the outcome of the Limpopo conference.

But whereas he also assured investors that economic policies would not change under his leadership, Zuma on Sunday hinted to the SACP that a more socialist state may be looked at if the Communist Party was able to make it look attractive.

In an apparent light-hearted moment, Zuma told the SACP that his socialist ways were being watched by the ANC and that his party may be tempted to follow suit.

"Because if it is nice, we might cross the river as well and join you," he said with a chuckle.

But he added that the SACP would have to work for its socialist state.

Zuma told the gathering, however, that whatever the outcome in Limpopo, the ANC should be allowed to exercise its right to elect whoever it wanted without certain groups trying to subvert the democratic process.

He said the branches had met and in that process he had been nominated for president, and he had accepted the nomination knowing full well that delegates would again be voting in Limpopo and that the results "could be anything".

"And knowing the ANC as I do, whoever will be elected in Limpopo, when we come back we will be united behind the leader," he said to cheers.

"That is our duty; that is our task," he said.

He said the party would of course have to deal with "certain things" that had been done by people in the run-up to the conference that had "caused some pain" in the ANC.

But he said that responsibility would be in the hands of the next leader, whoever that may be.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande on Sunday voiced their support for Zuma's nomination, but warned him not to contemplate revenge against those he felt may have wronged him *1.

Vavi said that while Zuma supporters' victory was "guaranteed next week", they were not interested in "making them pay" for what they had done to Zuma.

"There will be no vengeance," said Vavi, stating that workers could benefit only from a single, united ANC.

Presidential contender Thabo Mbeki had been accused by the Zuma camp of using state organs, including the National Prosecuting Authority, to fight his succession battle.

Nzimande also warned against any thoughts of retribution.

"I agree also there should be no revenge ... Now, in case you are the next president on December 20, I want to say 'wena Msholozi', no matter how bitter you feel about how some of the state organs have been used against you, don't (seek) revenge," Nzimande said to shouts of agreement from the crowd.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on December 10, 2007

With acknowledgement to Cape Times