ANC to fete its presidents

ANC presidents past and present are to be celebrated as part of the ruling party's preparations for its 100th birthday next year.

The party announced at the launch of its 100th anniversary programme that each calendar month in 2012 would be dedicated to an ANC president, starting with its founding leader, John Langalibalele Dube in January.

The celebrations will coincide with the annual January 8 statement and will be preceded by the lighting of a centenary torch in the Free State.

The celebrations will conclude on January 8 2013, a month after the ANC's 53rd elective conference, where President Jacob Zuma will be seeking a second term at the helm of the party.

Former president Nelson Mandela will be celebrated during his birthday month in July. Oliver Tambo, who led the ANC in exile, will be commemorated in October, followed by Thabo Mbeki in November. Zuma's commemoration month will be December.

The celebrations will be marked by cultural and traditional events and commemorations of various historical events linked to the freedom struggle.

In an effort to portray itself as a unifying force, the ANC will, in March next year, celebrate the role of Robert Sobukwe, founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress.

In the same month, it will commemorate the Sharpeville and Langa massacres.

Leaders of ANC breakaway parties - the IFP's Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the UDM's Bantu Holomisa, PAC president Letlapa Mphahlele and APC leader Themba Godi - were invited to Friday's launch. No COPE leaders were present, though they were invited.

In a short address, Zuma said that the 100 years of the ANC's existence belonged to them all.

"Of course, events of history produced other parties. But I think all of us, it would be good if we found a way of celebrating, even if under the auspices of our own party, because we are celebrating a history of a people who took the decision to liberate themselves," he said.