Given the ANC's sizable majority in parliament, Ramaphosa is now best placed to become the country's next president when Jacob Zuma's presidential term runs out in 2019.

Sixty-five-year-old Ramaphosa was one of two favorites to become ANC leader at the party conference in Johannesburg this week.

Ramaphosa made his name as a trade union leader during the apartheid and as the chief negotiator who helped shepherd the ANC during the political transition.

Shortly before his victory was announced, Ramaphosa and members of the ANC leadership were seen shaking hands and congratulating each other, while waiting delegates sang and danced around the hall.