The "nice guy of South African politics", Mr Patrick Lekota, was elected chairman of the African National Congress yesterday. Mr Lekota, who has visited Ireland, triumphed over the Sports Minister Mr Steve Tshwete, whose reputation is that of a "hatchet man."
Mr Lekota's election to the third-highest position in the ANC after those of president and deputy president, marked a major political comeback for him after the national leadership prevailed upon him to relinquish the provincial premiership of the Free State last year.
Ironically, Mr Tshwete represented the sharp edge of pressure from the national leadership. He reportedly described Mr Lekota as "stubborn and troublesome" in an internal report to the leadership.
Mr Lekota was a member of the black consciousness movement in the 1970s, but during his first term of imprisonment on Robben Island he underwent an ideological conversion - in which President Nelson Mandela played a critical role - and became one of the leaders of the pro-ANC United Democratic Front on his release. He was imprisoned again in 1989 after being convicted of treason for his leadership role in the United Democratic Front, but released a year later when the appeal court found in his favour.
Another former black consciousness devotee, Ms Thenjiwe Mtintso, triumphed in an election yesterday. She was elected deputy secretary-general of the ANC in preference Ms Mavivi Manzini, who serves as an adviser to the newly elected ANC president, Mr Thabo Mbeki.
AFP adds from Cape Town: The former president of South Africa, Mr Pieter W. Botha, who will be 82 next month, faces arrest today if he fails to answer a summons to appear before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The commission has issued Mr Botha with a subpoena to appear at its Cape Town offices this morning.