NZ apartheid activist joins ANC 100 year celebrations

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. Photo / AP

As South Africa's liberation party began its 100th-year celebrations last week, New Zealand activist David Wickham had the chance to join in and reflect on his part in the anti-apartheid movement.

The African National Congress (ANC) was founded on January 8, 1912, in Bloemfontein on January 8, 1912, and last week members returned there to launch its 100th year celebrations, which will continue throughout the year.

International officials and anti-apartheid campaigners flew in from around the globe to mark the occasion, which included a gathering of more than 50,000 people at the city's Free State Stadium.

Mr Wickham, who joined the Halt All Racist Tours (HART) protest group in 1970, was among nine New Zealanders invited to attend the ceremony, and was the only one able to make the trip at short notice.

As well as attending the stadium event, Mr Wickham attended a dinner of 1500 people the night before.

At the dinner, South African President Jacob Zuma, international government officials and former protesters spoke about the party's history, at one point noting New Zealand's involvement in the international campaign.

Mr Wickham said the anniversary was momentous, particularly for those who had been involved in the movement as long as he had been.

"We thought, even right through to the '80s, we'd never live to see the day we'd get [Nelson] Mandela out of jail," he said.

"It'd be hard to find another liberation movement that's lasted for 100 years, and I think that's enormously significant and hugely worth celebrating."

The party has led the country and maintained huge support since 1994, although has been somewhat divided by infighting, most recently with youth leader Julius Malema being suspended.

Mr Wickham said the controversy came from those who were not satisfied with the progress being made, specifically relating to housing, education and jobs, and that those people were not properly taking into account what the ANC was up against.

"The problems that the ANC have faced - people have just got to be realistic about it."