Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota has thrown down the gauntlet by threatening to start a breakaway party if the ANC doesn't address his complaints and return to its 'principles'. Charming his way through a press conference with righteous indignation, cleverly worded responses, just a hint of ambiguity and the occasional cheeky quip, Lekota positioned himself as a viable alternative to the populist Jacob Zuma.

We take a quick look at the CVs of the feuding ANC titans.

Mosiuoa Lekota

  • Nickname: Terror, earned because of his prodigious talents on the soccer field.

  • Age: 60

  • Marital status: Married to Cynthia.

  • Education: Matriculated from St. Francis College in Marianhill in 1969. Began a social sciences degree at the University of the North, but was expelled because of his political activism (SASO).

  • Struggle credentials: Imprisoned on Robben Island from 1974 to 1982 for "conspiring to commit acts endangering the maintenance of law and order". Lekota was elected the public secretary of the United Democratic Front (UDF) before being rearrested in 1985 and held without the opportunity of bail until 1989.

  • Previous posts: ANC's chief of intelligence (1991 -1992), premier of the Free State province (1994 -1996); chairperson of the national council of provinces (1997 – 1999); national chairperson of the ANC (1997 – 2007); and minister of defence (1999 – 2008).

  • Controversy: Famous for his outspoken approach, Lekota even went up against Mandela when Mandela tried to enforce a female representation quota without consulting ANC constituencies. Lekota has on numerous occasions spoken out against Jacob Zuma condemning the latter's remarks in his rape trial, his singing of Umshini Wami and the tribalism of his supporters. He has also been critical of the ANC's support of 'criminal' members and questioned the efficacy of Affirmative Action.

  • Quote he probably regrets: Prior to the Polokwane conference in December 2007: "But there are no policy differences — the organisation is strong. You will tell me a year from now, 'Terror, you were right. The ANC is not divided; it's normal, natural tension'. Everybody is going to come to peace with the fact that one or the other candidate won."

    • Jacob Zuma

  • Nickname: Msholozi.

  • Age: 66

  • Marital status: Married to Sizakele aka MaKhumalo (first wife) and Nompumelelo Ntuli (fourth wife). Previously married to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (divorced) and Kate (committed suicide in 2000). Allegedly in the process of paying lobola for Thobeka Stacey Mabhija (mother of two of his children). Zuma has nine children from his marriages.

  • Education: Zuma has no formal education.

  • Struggle credentials: An active member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Zuma spent 10 years on Robben Island.

  • Previous posts: Deputy president of the Republic of South Africa (1999 – 2005), deputy president of the ANC (1997 – 2007) and chairperson of the South African National Aids Council.

  • Controversy: Zuma's financial advisor Schabir Shail was convicted of fraud and Zuma himself has been the subject of a persistent fraud and corruption investigation. He was acquitted of rape during a trial in which he admitted to having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman. Zuma has also sued various media houses/individuals for defamation.

  • Quote he probably regrets: As an explanation to the Johannesburg High Court on why he took a shower after having sex with an HIV-positive woman: "It would minimise the risk of catching the disease."

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