Eastern Cape premier and ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle endorsed deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential bid.
Masualle told a gathering of traditional leaders that the country should not look past Ramaphosa for a president.
Speaking in house of traditional leaders on Friday, Masualle said: "Those who talk about the deputy president wanting to be president are not lost ... We cannot look afar when we want a president.
"We would appear to be clueless if we look elsewhere for a president because we have seen him."
Masualle further described Ramaphosa as "very humble, respectful and trustworthy".
He said the ANC and country trusted him enough to elect him deputy president.
According to Masualle, Ramaphosa was not tainted and worked to deliver South Africa's constitution in the 1990s.
"We're proud of our constitution," Masualle added.
Ramaphosa is expected to go head to head with ANC national executive committee member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the ruling party's presidency at its December national congress.
Last week, Sowetan reported that Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had entered the race for the organisation's top position. National Assembly Speaker and ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete is also eyeing the position.