Zuma motlanthe mangaung 20121217

South African President Jacob Zuma tands alongside his deputy ANC president Kgalema Motlanthe during the opening ceremony of the 53rd National Conference of the African National Congress (ANC) on December 16, 2012, in Bloemfontein. South Africa's ruling ANC kicked off what promises to be a contentious five-yearly party conference today, with embattled President Jacob Zuma facing a leadership challenge from his deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe. The five day conference, which will go a long way toward deciding who will lead South Africa until the end of the decade. Motlanthe is hoping to wrest control of the party from Zuma. Should he succeed, the ANC's commanding electoral standing means he is almost certain to become the country's next president.