Thousands gather for Alexandra's 100th birthday party

Thousands of people began gathering at the Alexandra stadium where the township would be celebrating a century since its establishment.

President Jacob Zuma was expected to give a keynote address in one of the country's oldest townships later in the day.

The rainy Johannesburg weather cleared at mid-morning allowing more people to join the celebration.

Dressed in African National Congress colours, with some wearing traditional attire to celebrate Heritage Month, the crowd sang: "Those who do not want Zuma must go back."

While Alexandra has seen a lot of development in housing projects and community facilities, it is still plagued by poverty and unemployment.