South Africans attend centenary celebrations of Africa’s oldest liberation movement, ANC, yesterday. THE colourful ANC centenary celebrations were held here with Vice President Joice Mujuru joining 46 other heads of state at the festivities at Magaung Stadium.

In his address, President Jacob Zuma chronicled the history of ANC from its launch at a humble hall here to the force it is today, with over a million members.

President Zuma outlined how South Africa's freedom would not have been possible without the support of its neighbours.

"We thank our brothers in Zimbabwe . . . the veterans who fought in Zimbabwe during the 1967 Wankie-Sipolilo campaign. We also pay tribute to Malawi, Angola and Mozambique whose people died during the South African army's cross-border raids in search of MK bases," he said.

Tens of thousands of South Africans, reports AFP, joined ANC's huge centennial bash in Bloemfontein yesterday, dancing and singing for the party that freed them from apartheid and gave them homes.

Janet Leshilo (68) slept outside to join a rally of ANC supporters in a wash of party colours and images of heroes like Nelson Mandela.

"Since we came at midnight, we slept here by the gate waiting for this day because we are so happy," said ANC Women's League member Leshilo, who travelled from Pretoria.

"We've got free water, free houses, because of the ANC," added fellow women's league member 65-year-old Mathabo Mokwena, of Bloemfontein, referring to the huge gains in basic services nearly 18 years after the party ended white minority rule.

ANC put on a glitzy weekend show of its overwhelming dominance in South African politics, more than 50 years after it was banned by the racist white regime and forced underground to fight for all-race liberation.

Johannesburg scientist Benjamin Mogoyo sat in the blistering heat among tens of thousands of supporters in a sea of ANC colours with a coolbox filled with ice, fizzy drinks, fruit juice and food.

"This is just a microcrosm of the ANC. This is just a small reflection of the bigger picture of how much the people of South Africa love the ANC. It's just a small drop in the ocean," he said.

"I think the central message for today is that of consolidating unity within the country but as well as entrenching and promoting diversity," he added, saying he was happy with President Zuma's leadership.

"When he speaks, he speaks like a president of the people because he understands the problems of the people on the ground because he himself is also on the ground. He remains in touch with the people."

Youth league member, Tefo Lebaka (28) said the party had put on a show of solidarity for the celebrations which included a golf tournament, ritual animal slaughter and a glamourous gala dinner with heads of state.

Mine shift boss Tumane Matela of Klerksdorp, around 200km from Bloemfontein, was reminded of the party's struggles when a group in wheelchairs were rolled onto the field.

"I think today there are no factions, there are no camps. Everybody would like to see the ANC he loves: an ANC that's got no factions, no colour and no tribalism," he said.