Cyril Ramaphosa chosen to lead South Africa's ruling ANC party

South Africa’s ruling party has selected Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma as leader of the African National Congress (ANC).

The deputy president overcame former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after a marathon voting process.

Mr Ramaphosa, 65, is now in a strong position to become president in the polls next year.

He defeated his opponent by 2,440 votes to 2,261, it was announced by the ANC.

The battle for leadership sparked political infighting that led to fears the party may split before the election.

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

He is a former miners' union leader, one of South Africa's richest businessmen and has been the ANC's deputy president since December 2012.

Ms Dlamini-Zuma, 68, Mr Zuma’s ex-wife, had been critical of the enduring power of white-owned businesses.

She had pledged to tackle what she said was continued racial inequality.