Thabo Mbeki, South Africa’s president, suffered a humiliation on Tuesday when he was voted out as leader of the country’s ruling African National Congress in favour of Jacob Zuma, the party’s populist deputy. The result, precipitated by some of the worst feuding in the party’s 96-year history, is arguably the most significant event in South Africa since the end of white minority rule 13 years ago.

However, the lustre of Mr Zuma’s triumph was dulled by the threat of a trial on corruption charges, widely expected next year, as a conviction would stop him from leading the country.