President Jacob Zuma has been elected for a second term as ANC leader, beating Kgalema Motlanthe at the party's conference in Mangaung on Tuesday.

Zuma won 2983 of the votes, with Motlanthe securing 991.

Cyril Ramaphosa was elected deputy president, winning 3018 of the votes to Mathews Phosa's 470 and Tokyo Sexwale's 463. Ramaphosa would take over from current deputy Motlanthe, who was nominated for the position, but withdrew his candidacy on Monday.

Baleka Mbete retained her position as chairperson, winning 3010 votes to Thandi Modise's 939.

Gwede Mantashe easily held onto his post of secretary general, winning 3058 of the votes. His only challenger, Fikile Mbulula, secured 901. Jesse Duarte was elected unopposed as deputy secretary general.

The final position in the top six — that of treasurer general — went to Zweli Mkhize, who took 2988 votes over Paul Mashatile's 961.

Earlier, delegates sang in support of Zuma.

A large group outside the plenary marquee, on the University of the Free State's campus, blew vuvuzelas and whistles, ululated and held aloft two fingers, a signal of support for a second term for Zuma.

Two members carried a large cloth ANC flag bearing Zuma's image. The group comprised of delegates from different provinces.

One delegate shouted: "Down with the DA [Democratic Alliance] they are the DNA of apartheid."

Delegates voted for the top six into the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Nominations for the party's 80 national executive committee members would be announced later in the day.