Challenges waiting for Ramaphosa

South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa faced wide-ranging challenges yesterday after being elected to lead South Africa's ruling party as it grapples with corruption allegations and disunity.

He narrowly won the vote to become head of the African National Congress (ANC) on Monday after a bruising race that exposed rifts within the organisation that led the fight against apartheid.

The victory puts Ramaphosa in line to succeed President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has been plagued by corruption scandals, a slowing economy and anger at the once-omnipotent ANC.

Ramaphosa is set to enjoy a brief honeymoon period -- the rand currency rose four percent against the dollar, suggesting investor confidence in the wealthy former businessman, before pairing gains.

But he still faces unenviable challenges on public sector cuts to control the ballooning budget and how to battle Zuma-era corruption.

Political analyst Richard Calland warned that Ramaphosa would be constrained by allies of Zuma who were also elected into top ANC positions on Monday's vote.

The ANC, which has ruled since 1994 when Nelson Mandela won the first multi-racial vote, could struggle to retain its grip on power in the 2019 election due to falling public support.c