Bloemfontein - Heads of State, royal families and thousands of supporters descended on the Free State Stadium on Sunday to mark the African National Congress' 100 years of existence.
Among those who attended were former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson and former President Thabo Mbeki.
A torch carrying the centenary flame was brought inside the stadium and was handed over to Zuma by Mbeki and former ANC activists Ahmed Kathrada and Andrew Mlangeni.
Thereafter, President Jacob Zuma addressed the thousands of ANC supporters who braved the scorching sun to fill the 48 000 capacity stadium. The supporters, who were dressed in yellow ANC centenary t-shirts, sang struggle songs and danced to music as a large birthday cake was brought inside the stadium ahead of the formal proceedings.
Earlier in the day, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe joined several party heavyweights and other dignitaries for a prayer service in which various faith leaders were asked to pray for South Africa's liberation party.
Bloemfontein is the founding place of the ANC, which was established on 8 January 1912, making it Africa's oldest liberation movement.
African leaders and opposition parties this week hailed the ruling party in its centenary, which they said inspired hope for the continent.
On Sunday, Zuma said since its formation the ANC had become the custodian of democracy and freedom in South Africa.
"The ANC set out to achieve that goal of founding a South Africa that was free, just and belonged to all... the ANC mobilised the South African people across the gender and class divide to fight the imbalances of the past," Zuma said.
In his one hour, 30 minute speech, he spoke about the rich history of the party and thanked various structures of the ANC, including the party's women and youth leagues, for their role in strengthening the organisation.
He praised past leaders of the ANC, including former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and the party's longest serving leader Oliver Tambo.
"As we celebrate the centenary today we also pay tribute to leaders of the working class generation... we also salute the women who played a role in the struggle against apartheid," he said, adding that women had been part of earlier campaigns by marching against pass laws and later marching to the Union Buildings.
"We honour the many women who played key leadership roles in the leadership struggle," said Zuma.
He said in its time, the ANC had promoted peace, equality and freedom of movement for all South Africans.
"It is remarkable that our country was able to produce democratic change despite institutionalised racism," he said.
The promotion of human rights had always been a key feature of the ANC since its formation. This made the party one of the pioneers in promoting people-centered policies and a Bill of Rights, which was a cornerstone of democracy.
Zuma called for unity in the party as it entered a second century, reminding members that the struggle that started in 1912 was continuing albeit in a different form.
"We continue to face challenges of poverty and unemployment ... Africans, women and youth continue to carry a disproportionate burden of the challenges.
"As we move forward, the ANC will continue to strengthen its programmes to train young people with the potential to change their lives."
