South Africa's ruling African National Congress has confirmed that its deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe is to become caretaker president until next year's elections.

He was not even an MP until May this year but has a long history as an ANC official and a trade unionist.

He is seen as a close ally of ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who is expected to become South African president after elections due next year.

Correspondents say Mr Motlanthe's low public profile and lack of a personal support base mean he is regarded as a safe interim president - there is no way he could possibly hold on to the presidency once Mr Zuma decides his time has come.

Asked after his election last year as the ANC's deputy president whether he was interested in the top job, he replied he would prefer to oversee the country's national football team, Bafana Bafana.....

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