S. Africa party marks 100 years

By The Associated Press
Published: January 09, 2012 Updated: January 09, 2012 - 12:00 AM

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa --

Tens of thousands of chanting and dancing revelers waved the green and gold colors of the African National Congress as Africa's oldest liberation movement celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday, though many South Africans say the party hasn't delivered on its promises.

A dozen African leaders and more former heads of state, along with African kings and chieftains, attended a midnight ceremony where President Jacob Zuma lit a flame, expected to stay alight the entire year, at the red brick, tin-roofed Wesleyan church where black intellectuals and activists founded the party in 1912.

Absent because of his frailty was Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president who is just six years younger than his movement. The world icon was jailed for 27 years by the racist white government and his organization was formerly declared a terrorist group by the United States.

Joy at the ANC's leading role in ending white minority rule in 1994 was tinged with sadness over its failure to bring a better life to most South Africans, and corruption scandals that have embroiled its members in recent years.

"It means a lot to be alive when the ANC is celebrating 100 years of its existence," Mayor Tulani Sebego of Bergville said.

The stadium at Bloemfontein, upgraded to a 45,000-seater for the 2010 soccer World Cup, overflowed Sunday with crowds that spilled outside, dancing and singing under a blazing sun.

"We need to ensure that our program of transforming our country is accelerated and taken to new steps," Zuma said in an afternoon address, flanked by an aide holding an umbrella.

He acknowledged the problems confronting the ANC, saying it needs to "defeat the demon of factionalism" and to take "urgent and practical steps to restore the core values, stamp out factionalism and promote political discipline."

Thousands left the stadium during Zuma's 90-minute speech, which was devoted mainly to the history of the ANC. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe then proposed a toast and told the half-empty stadium that if they did not have champagne, they could take photographs of their leaders drinking, or raise clenched fists.

The ANC describes itself as a champion of the working class and the poor, but inequality has grown in recent years as a small group of black elite have become multimillionaires.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tbo/nationworld/~3/tTe4DkJKyD4/

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