In South Africa a former senior member of the African National Congress, Cyril Ramaphosa -- who left politics to pursue a business career -- has received the most votes in the elections for the party's new National Executive Committee. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela did not fare as well as some had expected, coming 15th in a list of 60 candidates. From the ANC National Conference in Mafikeng, Peter Biles:

The election of the ANC's National Executive Committee is a key barometer of popularity in the party hierarchy and when the results were announced the delegates of this conference in Mafikeng there was a huge roar of approval following the announcement that Cyril Ramaphosa had topped the poll. Mr Ramaphosa first made his name as leader of the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1980s. He later played a central role in the constitutional negotiations that led to the democratic elections in 1994.

But in spite of his obvious popularity he left politics to take up a career in business. His success in these NEC elections means that he should continue to make an important contribution to the ANC in the future.

President Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who withdrew from the contest to become deputy president of the party earlier this week came 15th in the poll. It seems to suggest that her support was not as strong as had been thought.

But for the most part the leading members of the Executive Committee mirror the shape of the Government. Apart from Mr Ramaphosa and Mrs Madikizela-Mandela all those in the top 15 are also in the cabinet. On this final day of the ANC conference delegates will bid farewell to Nelson Mandela at a rally in Mafikeng.