South Africa's biggest union group backs Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma

By Joe Brock JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa saw his chances of becoming South Africa's next leader increase on Thursday when a powerful union group backed him to succeed President Jacob Zuma as head of the ruling party. Zuma is expected to stand down as African National Congress (ANC) president at a party conference in December next year, ahead of national elections in 2019 when his tenure as president will end. Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid leader popular with investors, is likely to face strong competition if he does throw his hat in the ring, including from Zuma's ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is head of the African Union.