South African President Thabo Mbeki has appointed Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as his deputy.

The announcement takes Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka into the highest political office held by a woman in South Africa.

She succeeds Jacob Zuma, who was sacked as deputy president last week after his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption and fraud.

Prosecutors later announced that Mr Zuma would face corruption charges next week. He denies wrong-doing.

Announcing Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka's appointment, Mr Mbeki said: "We thought that this gave us an opportunity further to strengthen the participation of women in the executive."

Since her appointment as minister of minerals and energy in 1999, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka, 49, has won praise as one of the most effective ministers in the South African government.

Analysts say, however, that her appointment could prove controversial.

Her husband, former chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, initiated the investigation that led ultimately to the downfall of Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka's predecessor, Mr Zuma.

Mr Zuma angrily accused Mr Ngcuka of trying to ruin his reputation by leaking stories to the media.

'Well deserved'

Business and unions have welcomed the appointment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4120048.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4120048.stm

A very welcomed development. She is qualified. Lived shortly in South Africa before and she seemed like a nice person from what I heard when I was there. However, I will be a bit cautious given that she seems to be a Xhosa, and Zuma, her predecessor was Zulu. Some conspiracy theorists may use it as proof of a Xhosa-Nostra, where the ruling class seems to be predominantly Xhosa. Hence zulus were suspicious of Zuma's removal. What can I say, Africa has gotten alot more complex recently. But on the flip side we might be looking at a female presidency.