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JOHANNESBURG - South Africa President Jacob Zuma has suggested he would not turn down a nomination to lead the ruling ANC for a second term.

Senior ANC officials as well as their allies in the COSATU labour federation and South African Communist Party have already started jostling for position before the next election for party leader in 2012. The ANC president is almost certain to become the country's president.

Zuma, who was sworn in as national president last May for a five-year term, told Business Day newspaper in an interview that he will adhere to the wishes of the African National Congress regarding his role.

"I have never defied the ANC. My next step has always been informed by the ANC," Zuma told Business Day.

His remarks suggested he would not turn down a nomination to again lead the party that liberated South African from white minority rule and that he wanted to discourage challengers.

Zuma, a polygamist with three wives, has come under fire for his controversial personal life, especially revelations last month that he fathered a child out of wedlock. Publically the ANC has called for the president's privacy to be respected but privately many are begining to see him as a liability.

The race to become ANC leader has plunged the ANC and its labour and communist allies into its biggest confrontation since Zuma took office.

ANC sources said Zwelinzima Vavi, the secretary general of the labour federation, and communist party leader Blade Nzimande, were eyeing the presidency.

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