British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday hailed South Africa's ruling ANC as a “beacon for the world” in fighting discrimination and oppression as the party celebrated its centenary.
“On behalf of the British people, I want to congratulate you and everyone involved with the African National Congress on this very special anniversary,” wrote Cameron in a letter to South African President and ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
“The African National Congress has been a beacon for the world in the fight against discrimination and the struggle for freedom from oppression -- it stood up for the rights of all South Africans.”
“It is incredible to see the changes in South Africa that the ANC has helped to bring about,” he added.
As well as celebrating the legacy of its first 100 years, the ANC should be “looking forward to the challenges of the next,” said the Conservative premier.
The ANC has dominated the political scene in the post-apartheid era but South Africans have become increasingly frustrated over corruption allegations and the government's failure to pull more people out of poverty.
The second day of the centenary celebrations in South Africa on Saturday featured drums and the ritual slaughter of a bull before a gala dinner attended by more than a dozen African leaders. - Sapa-AFP