(Graphic: John McCann)
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma secured the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu- Natal during the past few weeks of provincial general council votings.
Dlamini-Zuma has a prestigious political record, having held three major ministerial positions as well as chairing the African Union (AU) for five years. However, her previous marriage to controversial President Jacob Zuma has claimed much of the attention around her campaign.
Although Dlamini-Zuma received less support than Cyril Ramaphosa during the provincial general council votes, she goes into the elective conference with KwaZulu-Natal — the province that sends the most delegates to the conference.
Here is a timeline of her political journey: