Jacob Zuma has been catapulted to the presidency of the ANC despite still being mired in the controversy of corruption charges, not long since dismissed from the cabinet, acquitted of rape and persecuted by his own comrades.

Last night the marquee in Polokwane exploded with jubilation when electoral agency chairperson Dren Nupen announced that Zuma had won by 824 votes.

He polled 2 329 votes to President Thabo Mbeki's 1 505.

Delegates could not be quietened amid fireworks around the university campus as Zuma entered, wearing a brown leather jacket and white cap.

He was followed by Mbeki, who hugged him and smiled.

Asked for comment shortly after his defeat, Mbeki said: "Now is not the time to talk."

Minister in the Presidency and Mbeki's right-hand man, Essop Pahad, said: "We have a new leadership, and the leadership must lead."

Embattled former transport minister Mac Maharaj said the people had spoken and they wanted change.

He did not believe there would be a purge and said the party would now close ranks.

The succession was described by Mbeki's mother Epainette as more an obsession about personality than a process.

Zuma's victory signifies a cry for change in the 96-year-old movement, whose members rejected a serving president determined to hold on to power at all costs.

Unless the corruption charges come back to haunt him, Zuma is likely to become president of South Africa in 18 months.

New ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe admitted the "never-ending agony" of Zuma's legal battles would put the ANC in a very difficult position.

Asked what would happen if Zuma were charged, he said the ANC membership would have to "live with it" and "cross that bridge when they get to it".

Motlanthe criticised the way in which the National Prosecuting Authority had pursued its case against Zuma, describing repeated announcements about the intention to charge him as "strange".

"If someone is charged we should get no forewarning or prior announcement about it.

"The person should be arrested and charged, simple. Then we don't have to speculate."

Zuma's victory marks a turning point in the country's political trajectory and a drastic regime-change in the ruling ANC.

Despite his earlier assurance that little would change in ANC policy under his watch, it is widely expected that management style will indeed change, as will the thrust and attitude to policy.

In recent weeks, Zuma's detractors fuelled broad perception that under his leadership the country was doomed to fail and that the South African dream was about to unravel.

But Zuma stood tall and travelled the length and breadth of the country, and to a number of other countries, in a bid to allay concerns.

His leadership capability was a subject of mockery, especially after his financial and sexual deportments were exposed during the trial of his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, and his own rape trial.

His eccentric comments during the rape trial - that a shower could minimise chances of contracting the HIV virus - led to the clergy and others questioning his moral standing.

The overly stretched attempt to charge him with corruption relating to the arms deal further tainted his splotchy image.

However, the deeper he was entangled in the legal quagmire, the greater his popularity - especially among the unions and working class.

The election outcome last night reflected Zuma's working-class upbringing, which he exploited to connect with members who felt detached from their leaders.

Unlike Mbeki, Zuma has risen through the ranks without family connection, becoming part of the ANC's second-highest decision-making body 30 years ago.

He was elected to the ANC's top six position as deputy secretary-general before Mbeki's co-option into the party's powerful but unconstitutional structure.

He was later chairperson of the party and ultimately deputy president 10 years ago.

At that stage he was still a close friend of Mbeki's, until something - which has never been disclosed - slashed that comradely cord, triggering a bitter succession that has now seen Mbeki's downfall.