POLOKWANE — The unstoppable Jacob Zuma “tsunami” swept all before it last night as the bitter electoral battle for supremacy in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) reached a climax that saw President Thabo Mbeki turfed out with less than 40% of the vote.

The victory was a crowning moment for Zuma, after years of legal battles involving a trial on corruption charges, which may yet be brought against him again, and another for rape, for which he was acquitted.

Zuma’s victory by 2329 votes to 1505 leaves the party facing an uphill battle to restore unity and discipline amid unprecedented rivalry for the spoils of office.

For SA, the victory means that while Zuma will hold sway at party headquarters at Luthuli House, Johannesburg, Mbeki will continue to govern the country from the Union Buildings, raising the prospect of a power struggle pitting party against state.

Zuma’s victory also ushered in a new-look party leadership packed with his closest allies, including ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe as deputy president, National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete as national chairwoman, South African Communist Party (SACP) chairman Gwede Mantashe as secretary-general, North West speaker Thandi Modise as deputy secretary-general and former Mpumalanga premier Mathews Phosa as treasurer-general.

However, Zuma’s march to the highest office in the land will still have to contend with the prospect of his being re-charged with corruption, and lingering questions, not the least among the investment community, over his suitability for high office.

Mantashe’s election signals closer ties with the ANC’s left-wing allies and it is expected that more unionists will be elected when the party chooses its additional 80 national executive committee members, probably today.

This will be a change from the frosty relations between the ANC and its tripartite alliance partners, the SACP and the Congress of South African Trade Unions .

In a bid to put on a united face, each of the new office bearers walked on to the stage with their counterparts from the Mbeki camp, which may help heal rifts.

Reaction from Mbeki’s closest allies signalled an acceptance of the new leadership.

Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad said: “Of course we accept the outcome of conference. I just congratulated the new leadership and they have our full support.”

Another Mbeki ally, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, said: “The election was free and fair and we respect the democratic process.”

The top six are a mixed bag, representing various sectors in the alliance. The election of two women, one them the first woman to chair the ANC, will do much to repair Zuma’s dented image on gender issues.

Phosa’s election marks the former Mpumalanga premier’s return to political prominence. He was one of the ANC leaders accused of plotting to overthrow Mbeki.

The hall thundered with applause and when the delegates were informed by the party’s electoral commission that Zuma had won.

Singing and chanting “Zuma for 10 years” the delegates gave Zuma a mandate despite the possibility of his being charged again with corruption related to the arms deal. If Zuma is recharged and faces a court battle in 2009 when the country elects its new president, Motlanthe is likely to take over the reins of the party and could become the leading candidate in the race for SA’s president.

This was the ANC’s first contested election for president in 58 years, suggesting that leadership positions in the party will in future be contested instead of candidates being anointed.

With acknowledgements to Karima Brown, Hajra Omarjee, Amy Musgrave and Business Day.