ANC celebrates 104th anniversary, pledges country free of racism

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) celebrated its 104th birthday with a grand rally on Saturday, pledging to turn South Africa into a country free of racism.

Braving scorching heat, thousands of ANC supporters gathered at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, about 180 km northwest of Johannesburg to hear ANC President Jacob Zuma to deliver a key-note speech.

Security has been heightened to manage the large numbers making their way to the stadium, which was full to its capacity with supporters dressed in party regalia. Police estimated that over 80,000 people attended the rally, with many waiting to get into the packed stadium.

Zuma, who is also president of South Africa, arrived at the stadium around noon to cheers and applause of the audience.

As Africa's oldest liberation organization that was founded in 1912, the ANC has for many years used the occasion to issue a statement outlining its strategy for the new year.

For this year, the party's policy is expected to focus on the 2016 Local Government Elections and other challenges it faces.

Speaking to ANC supporters, Zuma said the party's policies and tradition had to be the touchstone of their daily lives.

The ANC, he said, is still the movement that represents the interest and aspirations of the vast majority of the people of South Africa.

"We must unite all people of South Africa, black and white. There is enough room in the ANC for everyone," Zuma said while delivering an executive summary of the ANC's policy statement.

"We continue to commemorate our history as it is the foundation on which we build our movement and our country... Every South African, acting in unity, will enable us to attain the National Democratic Society,"Zuma said.

For the ANC to remain strong, it must fight corruption, tribalism, factionalism, patronage, power arrogance, slate politics or any other divisive practices in the party, Zuma said.

Everyone has the responsibility of fighting corruption, Zuma said.

"We all have a responsibility to fight corruption and expose corruption and expose corrupt people and report them to law enforcement," he said.

Zuma also took the opportunity to lash out at a new wave of racism that has emerged over the past few days.

He was referring to anti-black comments which have gone viral on social media over the past few days, sparking a public uproar.

"It is clear that there is a minority in our country that still harbours a desire to separate our communities and who idolize apartheid era leaders," Zuma said.

"These people don't represent the true character of the new South Africa,"he said.

Those embracing racism and those who are racist live in the past, Zuma added.

South Africa needs to defeat the demons of racism and tribalism, he stressed.

The ANC, he said, has put in place laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of race.

Zuma acknowledged that achieving a non-racial society cannot be left only to the ANC, adding "South Africans need to take part in the process".

"The ANC therefore calls upon all citizens to contribute to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society,"he said.

Zuma promised that the ANC will end racial exploitation in all its forms and urged ANC branches to develop specific campaigns against racism and discrimination.

For South Africa to move forward as a country that seeks to prosper, it is important that we acknowledge the past and work together in unison, said the president.

"The ANC will continue to honour its responsibilities as leader of our society, and will remain rooted among our people and address their concerns in meaningful and constructive ways,"he said. Enditem