Minerals and energy minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has been named as South Africa's new deputy president following the dismissal of Jacob Zuma.

Zuma was stripped of his position by President Thabo Mbeki, after his deputy's financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was convicted of corruption.

The proceedings have tainted the government and increased the pressure on Mbeki, who has responded with the appointment of Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka has helped steer through the implementation of the Black Economic Empowerment process, and has enjoyed some success in the mining sector, in what is seen as a challenging post.

As deputy president she will be the most senior woman in the administration, a fact Mbeki underlined at his news conference.

"We thought that this gave us an opportunity further to strengthen the participation of women in the executive," he commented.

The move was welcomed by the Chamber of Mines, which said Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka had shown "exceptional competence" in her time overseeing the mining industry.

The agency highlighted both the Mining Charter and skills handling the domestic and international investment communities as among her key contributions.