SOUTH AFRICA: Profiles of the eight contenders to replace Thabo Mbeki as leader of the ANC.
Cyril Ramaphosa (53) - Mandela's favoured successor was outmaneuvered by Mbeki in the last ANC leadership contest, and subsequently resigned all his political posts.
He has since become a successful businessman, and statesmanlike figure, acting as a decommissioning inspector in Northern Ireland. His stature as a former trade unionist and chief negotiation for the ANC in talks with the apartheid government gives him an advantage over the rest of the field.
To date, however, he has given mixed signals as to whether he would take the job.
Jacob Zuma (64) - Charismatic former deputy president of South Africa, he was sacked from the country's second-highest office by Mbeki in June 2005 over allegations of corruption. Charges were brought against him but subsequently dropped amid procedural delays.
Imprisoned for 10 years on Robben Island, he played a key role in quelling political violence between the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. He has since dirtied his bib through a range of controversies, and has become a hugely divisive figure.
Kgalema Motlanthe (57) - The ANC secretary-general has increasingly been mooted as a compromise candidate between the Mbeki and Zuma camps. A strong trade union background, coupled with diplomatic experience in Zimbabwe, gives him certain advantages, while his intimate knowledge of the workings of the party could prove critical come election time.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (50) - Widely praised for her performance as a cabinet minister, she was appointed deputy president of South Africa last year, taking up Zuma's vacant post. Mbeki has recently spoken of the desirability of a woman president, and the former schoolteacher - who visits Ireland next month - has the best credentials in that particular bracket.
Trevor Manuel (50) - South Africa's finance minister for the past 10 years is widely considered to be one of the most competent performers in government.
His appointment would be popular overseas, and among big business domestically, but the left would find it hard to stomach. In the current climate, he has to be a long shot.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (57) - The ex-wife wife of Mr Zuma has earned a reputation as a tough and competent administrator, facing down big tobacco and pharmaceutical interests while holding the health portfolio. Her record on Zimbabwe as foreign minister has attracted less praise, however.
Joel Netshitenzhe (49) - Mbeki's policy guru and chief government spokesman has been groomed by the president for high office. A smooth-talking conciliator, who studied political science in Moscow, he has earned respect within the party for defending unpopular stances.
Tokyo Sexwale (53) - A former Robben Islander who became premier of Gauteng Province, he retired from politics in 1998 after falling out with Mbeki.
A subsequent career in business has made him hugely wealthy - a turnoff for the left. But he commands respect, and could prove to be an important powerbroker.