African Union Commission chairman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's campaign to succeed President Jacob Zuma was given a boost after her backer took control of the ANC's biggest province yesterday. Sihle Zikalala defeated his fierce rival, KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu, to become chairman of the party in the province, making him one of the most powerful leaders in the ANC.Zikalala's ascendency to one of the party's most coveted jobs is a major boost for Dlamini-Zuma's supporters ahead of the ANC's 2017 elective conference, when she is expected to go head-to-head with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.It is an open secret that Dlamini-Zuma enjoys Zikalala's support, as well as that of the so-called premier league, said to consist of David Mabuza, Ace Magashule and Supra Mahumapelo - premiers of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West respectively."Her chances and campaign have received a shot in the arm," said an ANC Youth League leader at the forefront of Zikalala's campaign.Zikalala, a former ANC provincial secretary, was instrumental in President Jacob Zuma's ascendency in Polokwane. At the time he served as the ANC Youth League's secretary-general. He went on to become KwaZulu-Natal's deputy secretary before being elected secretary in 2009.Last month Zikalala denied to the Sunday Times that he was unhappy with Ramaphosa, claiming he was quoted out of context in a report saying he had informed the deputy president he would support Dlamini-Zuma in 2017.Among Zikalala's top five officials is deputy secretary Mluleki Ndobe, who until yesterday was chairman of the Harry Gwala region, from which Dlamini-Zuma comes. Ndobe has been known to be vociferous in his support for Dlamini-Zuma's political cause.Last year Ndobe even attempted to name the soon-to-be-amalgamated municipalities of Bulwer and Underberg after her.Independent political analyst Thabani Khumalo said there would be confusion surrounding the ANC's "so-called succession and organisational plans" if Dlamini-Zuma emerged as the party's president in 2017."If the argument is that the next person should be a woman, the most senior woman leader in the ANC is Baleka Mbete. If you have a faction that says Dlamini-Zuma must take over, then you start asking yourself: 'Why is a woman leader (Mbete), who was there 100% for President Jacob Zuma, not there now?"It is an issue that needs to be debated vigorously. But there is still a long way to go before a candidate emerges," he said.But Zikalala rubbished speculation about Zuma's successor."There's not even talk in our corners about 2017. This is a provincial conference of the ANC, not a mirror of the ANC's conference in 2017," he said.Barely hours after Zikalala was elected, talk was rife that Mchunu could be recalled from the premier position after the local government election in May.On Mchunu's future, the convenor of ANC national executive committee's deployees in KwaZulu-Natal, Joe Phaahla, said though the ANC provincial leadership would decide on the issue , he saw no need for Mchunu to be recalled."In Gauteng and Northern Cape we have premiers who are not provincial chairperson. By the way, only the president appoints premiers after the recommendation of the PEC," said Phaahla.The battle for the top spots in KwaZulu-Natal was marred by claims of dirty tricks.The conference was also a precursor to the much-delayed eThekwini regional conference, the results of which are now predictable. Zikalala won the chairmanship by 780 votes to Mchunu's 675 and Willies Mchunu defeated former treasurer Peggy Nkonyeni by 795 to 652 votes to retain his position as deputy chairman.Moses Mabhida regional chairman Super Zuma received 791 votes to Nhlakanipho Ntombela's 655 to become the new secretary, whereas his deputy, Ndobe, won by 810 votes to Mbali Myeni's 638.Mike Mabuyakhulu failed to make a comeback as treasurer after Nomusa Dube-Ncube won by 782 votes to his 653. Additional reporting by Nivashni Nair..