By Barnaby Phillips BBC, Stellenbosch

South African President Thabo Mbeki ended the five-day national conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) on a triumphant note.

He said that the South African economy had never been better managed than it is now and he promised stern action against left-wing groups whom he said were trying to destabilise the ANC.

NEW ANC LEADERS

President Thabo Mbeki Finance Minister Trevor Manuel Businessman Cyril Ramaphosa Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Throughout this conference, Mr Mbeki has defended his orthodox economic policies against left-wing critics.

In his closing speech he lashed out at "people posing as communists" whom he said had secretly tried to influence the elections onto the ANC's national executive committee.

The results of those elections have been announced and they will give the president more encouragement.

Second term

In an apparent endorsement of government policies, the minister of finance, Trevor Manual, attracted more votes than anyone else.

Mr Mbeki is likely to lead South Africa until 2009

Mr Mbeki himself was re-elected unopposed as party leader.

This makes a second term as head of state almost inevitable.

Mr Mbeki's policies on Zimbabwe and the Aids pandemic alienate many people at home and abroad, but after this week in Stellenbosch his authority over his party appears greater than ever before.