He went on to the podium to loud applause when his nomination was announced at the ANC's national conference in Polokwane on Monday night.
"In recognition of the fact that we are committed to the empowerment of women, I have decided to step back and do so in preference to Baleka [Mbete]".
His statement was met with deafening applause and cheers.
Mbete was then nominated from the floor - which pits her against the only other candidate, ANC strategist and Mbeki loyalist Joel Netshitenzhe.
For the position of secretary general, Mosiuoa Lekota and Gwede Mantashe were the only two nominations.
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