South Africa's ruling ANC preparing to replace Zuma

The main candidates are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, 65, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 68, President Zuma's former wife, reports the BBC.

The tense leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019.

President Zuma, 70, can remain head of state until those elections.

Whoever becomes the new ANC leader is likely to succeed him as President of the country.

As over 5,000 delegates gathered for the four-day conference in Johannesburg, Zuma, who faces multiple corruption allegations, has urged the party to unite behind the eventual winner.

He however, has denied any wrongdoings.

President Zuma is backing his former wife, a veteran politician in her own right who has been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses, the BBC reported.

Ramaphosa has spoken out strongly against state corruption and has the backing of the business community.

The first major engagement for the new leader will be the ANC anniversary celebrations on January 8, 2018.

The ANC has governed South Africa since the first democratic election more than 20 years ago.