The ANC still works for national unity and reconciliation, its president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Addressing Umkhonto we Sizwe's 47th anniversary celebrations in Bloemfontein, Zuma said the past could not be forgotten.

"We all went through suffering. Without forgetting the past, we must move into the future together as one nation."

Zuma said South Africans had to be united in their diversity and be ready to continue building the country together.

The ANC president urged the former combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, to help the ANC in defending the country's hard fought democracy.

"All people in South Africa should enjoy the fruits of liberation," he said.

He also urged MK's former combatants to defend the ANC from attempts to "sow disunity and confusion" from within its ranks.

Zuma said the country's democratic institutions should also be defended to "ensure that they are never ever used to fight factional political battles".

Thousands of ANC supporters, mainly dressed in yellow and red T-shirts, attended the MK celebrations at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium in Rocklands.

MK pleas acknowledged

Zuma also acknowledged pleas by MK veterans, which had been ignored by the party in the past.

"On several occasions, MK members have staged sit-ins at ANC headquarters or provincial offices in order to bring their grievances to the attention of the leadership," he said.

Although many former MK combatants had been integrated into government structures, many were struggling to make ends meet.

"Their welfare and proper social and economic integration was raised sharply at the ANC national policy conference," Zuma said.

He added that the party's Polokwane conference had mandated its structures to address all the issues raised by former MK combatants such as welfare and the reintegration of MK military veterans into civilian life.

At the event, Zuma posthumously bestowed the Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Award — the highest award the ANC makes to an individual — on slain SACP leader Chris Hani. It was received by Hani's wife Limpho.

Earlier, Zuma laid a wreath at Heroes Acre, at the Phahameng cemetery, where among others ANC founding member Thomas Mapikela is buried.

Zuma joined by Malema

After addressing the crowd at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium, Zuma danced with some of the many performers on stage.

He was joined by ANC Youth League president Julius Malema for the singing of what has become his trademark song 'Awulethu Umshini Wam' ('Bring Me My Machine Gun') — but which has been traditionally sung by former MK soldiers in military camps.

The national MK birthday celebrations soon became a political rally for the leading party.

"Vote for ANC," a poet shouted from the podium. "When you vote for ANC, think of those who have died," a poet recited.

Other prominent ANC leaders at the celebrations were ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, national executive committee member and head of ANC policy Jeff Radebe.

Also seen at the event was Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and businessman Tokyo Sexwale.

Sapa