BUSINESSMAN Cyril Ramaphosa won the women's vote yesterday after battling it out with three other candidates.

Ramaphosa surpassed the three names punted to take up the second best position of deputy president in the ANC after the ANC Women's League took a decision that he deserved it more than Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa and chairwoman Baleka Mbete, who was retained in her position.

League president Angie Motshekga said this position constituted the highest number of votes determined, while the position of ANC president was predictably conferred on President Jacob Zuma.

But Motshekga dismissed the notion that Motlanthe's exclusion meant the league had no confidence in him or was forced to copy other ANC structures that emerged with the same lists as those in KwaZulu-Natal.

She said their selection was based on a mandate that those present at Monday's nomination meeting had received from their branches.

"It's not a matter of a vote of no confidence in Motlanthe or anyone, it has nothing to do with that. It's just a choice we made and has nothing to do with him as a person."

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe was retained in his position after getting a majority of votes compared with Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.

National executive committee member Jessie Duarte was nominated for deputy secretary-general and ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairman Zweli Mkhize managed to slide through to the treasurer-general position.

Motshekga said due process was followed in determining the final results to be carried through to Mangaung where the league is allowed 45 voting delegates out of 4500.

Asked about its reasons for backing Zuma, ANCWL national executive member Edna Molewa cited that Zuma had never failed South African women.

"He ensured there is women empowerment. We've seen the work he has done and how he leads the organisation and government."

The ANCWL has been criticised for its reluctance to back a woman to take up the party's top position. Yesterday Motshekga said that, as much as they had an interest in a woman president, they also had an interest in unity in the ANC.

"We are not giving up on having a woman president. It will happen in your lifetime," she said. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za