Controversial former Sunday Times columnist David Bullard publicly endorsed the ANC at a function in Sandton on Saturday night.

"Some of you might be wondering what I'm doing here," said Bullard at the function where a variety of representatives of minority communities including the Greek, Italian and Portuguese and Chinese were present.

"Well, I'm a surprise guest," he said.

He said he was supporting the ANC because of the success of its economic policies.

"[Since 1994] we had more than a decade of economic growth and repaid the [National Party's] debt."

He said the ANC had also allowed people to take money off-shore and it introduced the National Credit Act, a move which Bullard said "stops us getting into the sort of mess the rest of the world is getting in."

"This is not the time to hand the steering wheel to someone who has never driven before," said Bullard, dressed in a smart black suit, white shirt and handkerchief.

"God bless the ANC."