Jacob Zuma triumphed at the African National Congress Dec. 18, parlaying his charisma and widespread popularity to win the governing party's top job and put him in line to become the country's next president.

Jacob Zuma (right) AP PHOTO

His overwhelming win over President Thabo Mbeki came despite rape and corruption scandals. Zuma was acquitted of rape last year, but still risks bribery charges in a multimillion-dollar arms deal. His supporters say he is innocent and that the scandals were part of a political smear campaign and should not prevent him from becoming ANC president.

Chaos and jubilation erupted as election officials announced the victory of Zuma — a former guerrilla leader who turned an anti-apartheid song Bring me my machine gun into his anthem.

Then he and Mbeki mounted the stage together and embraced. But the contest was the most bitterly divisive in the history of the party, and Mbeki's loss raised questions whether he would remain the country's president for the rest of his term.

Zuma had rallied ANC members who wanted a change from Mbeki, who guided post-apartheid South Africa to sustained economic growth over the past few years, but has been accused of moving too slowly to lift millions out of poverty and being too aloof from the grass roots.

Zuma loyalists also won five other top posts, including Kgalema Motlanthe, a former trade unionist and powerful ANC figure, as deputy president. Given that Zuma may have to step down if prosecutors follow through with indications they may charge him with corruption, the deputy presidency takes on particular significance.