21 December 2007 SPECIAL FEATURE - ANC CONFERENCE Zuma's ANC team Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe By Prakash Naidoo

As far back as 2005, people in the Zuma camp began talking about the possibility of Kgalema Motlanthe as a compromise candidate for the presidency. There were fears that Zuma could be weighed down by fraud charges when he inherited the mantle. In the two years since, as Zuma's star rose, so did Motlanthe's. His election as Zuma's deputy is crucial and strategic, as Zuma advisers still fear the prospect of a trial and the possibility that he may have to hand over the reins, even if temporarily. Born in 1949, Motlanthe's early ideological influences were of the Black Consciousness Movement and he was first detained in 1976 during the student protests. He was again arrested a year later and sentenced to 10 years on Robben Island. It was here that some of his most important relationships with senior ANC members were forged. On his release he was elected NUM secretary-general and, later in 1997, ANC secretary-general. He has remained steadfast in his support of Zuma and his right to a fair hearing. ZUMA'S ANC TEAM CLICK HERE FOR THE PROFILES Deputy president: Kgalema Motlanthe Chairman: Baleka Mbete Secretary-general: Gwede Mantashe Deputy SG: Thandi Modise Treasurer-general: Mathews Phosa

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