johannesburg south africa rule african national congress elect new party leader succeed president jacob zuma conference start saturday winner favorite become president country 2019 national election main anc leadership hopefuls nkosazana dlamini-zuma cyril ramaphosa two front runners nkosazana dlamini-zuma former minister chairwoman african union commission serve cabinets every south african president post-apartheid era dlamini-zuma marry president zuma decade four children back anc influential women youth league well zuma provincial party leaders close profile dlamini-zuma see deputy president former trade union leader one south africa rich people ramaphosa play important role negotiations end apartheid draft south africa progressive 1996 constitution support diverse group labour unions communists anc members disillusion zuma profile ramaphosa see anc treasurer general one rule party top six senior leaders medical doctor train mkhize also serve party boss kwazulu-natal province zuma dlamini-zuma hail analysts see mkhize compromise candidate anc leader could reconcile oppose factions support dlamini-zuma ramaphosa reuters interview mkhize see human settlements minister daughter anti-apartheid activist walter sisulu close friend nelson mandela sisulu say ramaphosa approach run mate turn offer minister presidency also hold senior cabinet position include public enterprises minister serve underground structure anc white minority rule imprison robben island apartheid government keep political prisoners former premier mpumalanga province also work anc treasurer general phosa demand nominations anc leader mpumalanga re-run say proof party members tell vote mpumalanga current premier zuma loyalist david mabuza view kingmaker anc race speaker south africa low house parliament also briefly serve deputy president say hold talk leadership hopefuls discuss possibility work together factbox key players south africa 's anc leadership race