Pretoria - As the African National Congress (ANC) celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, its centenary represented a milestone achievement not only for the ANC, but for all liberation movements on the African continent, President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.
"The ANC has worked for the unity of the continent for many decades. Given our common history as a people that were oppressed, we share the belief in democracy, justice, human rights and all freedoms that a free people should enjoy...," Zuma said at a symposium marking the centenary of the ANC held on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Ethiopia.
"We also share the belief in the power that comes from solidarity amongst the oppressed and a people striving to achieve any goal. As South Africans we were the beneficiaries of solidarity over many decades from our brothers and sisters in the continent and beyond," he said.
The ANC, which is the oldest liberation movement on the continent, has had 12 Presidents since 1912.
On Sunday, Zuma saluted the first executive committee elected in 1912, which consisted of the Reverend John Dube as President, Solomon Plaatje as Secretary, Pixley ka Isaka Seme as Treasurer, Thomas Mapikela as Speaker and Mr Montsioa as Recording Secretary.
"Today we also celebrate many outstanding leaders in the continent...we continue to draw inspiration from their selflessness, commitment and dedication to this continent and its people."
Paying tribute to the founding President of a free and democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Zuma described the 92-year-old ailing statesman as "a fearless freedom fighter", who like many others who were Presidents of the ANC, taught its members the importance of unity, forgiveness and reconciliation.
"He taught us to be forward looking and to use the past as a reference point to ensure that we never go back to racial oppression... we truly appreciate the support and good wishes we received when he was in hospital this week," Zuma said.
