FORMER president Thabo Mbeki will for the first time play a visible role in an ANC event since his defeat in Polokwane by President Jacob Zuma in 2007.
Mbeki will on Sunday carry a centenary torch from Waaihoek Wesleyan Church, where the ANC was founded, and hand it over to Zuma at the stadium before he (Zuma) makes his address.
Mbeki will also walk with the families of former ANC presidents.
He may also make remarks at the ANC dinner on Saturday night along with other invited heads of states.
So far, the ANC has confirmed that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Botswana President Ian Khama, Lesotho's King Letsie III and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be present.
Today, the ANC will kick-start its official centenary anniversary programme, with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe teeing off with ANC leaders and business people in a golf tournament at Schoemans Park in Bloemfontein.
There will be activities for the next three days in Bloemfontein, culminating in the main event on Sunday when Zuma delivers the keynote address at Free State Stadium.
Other former heads of state who are coming include Sam Nujoma of Namibia, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Joachim Chissano of Mozambique.
Former president Nelson Mandela will not attend the centenary celebrations. His wife Graca Machel will also not attend, but Mandela's children from his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela - Zindzi and Zenani - will represent their father.
Motlanthe will open the golf tournament with a light breakfast with the participants, who include former Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi, Advocate Johnny de Lange, Kaya FM station manager Greg Maloka, Advocate Dali Mpofu, ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni and ANC Women's League secretary Sisisi Tolashe.
Yesterday, some service providers who wanted to remain anonymous claimed that the ANC had not paid them for the services rendered and were on the verge of walking out.
Those that complained to Sowetan are contracted for catering, constructing marquees and providing buses to transport people to the stadium on Sunday.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said the contractors were paid deposits and would be paid in full when they had completed their work.
Mbeki in the mix at ANC festivity
FORMER president Thabo Mbeki will for the first time play a visible role in an ANC event since his defeat in Polokwane by President Jacob Zuma in 2007.
Mbeki will on Sunday carry a centenary torch from Waaihoek Wesleyan Church, where the ANC was founded, and hand it over to Zuma at the stadium before he (Zuma) makes his address.
Mbeki will also walk with the families of former ANC presidents.
He may also make remarks at the ANC dinner on Saturday night along with other invited heads of states.
So far, the ANC has confirmed that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Botswana President Ian Khama, Lesotho's King Letsie III and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be present.
Today, the ANC will kick-start its official centenary anniversary programme, with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe teeing off with ANC leaders and business people in a golf tournament at Schoemans Park in Bloemfontein.
There will be activities for the next three days in Bloemfontein, culminating in the main event on Sunday when Zuma delivers the keynote address at Free State Stadium.
Other former heads of state who are coming include Sam Nujoma of Namibia, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Joachim Chissano of Mozambique.
Former president Nelson Mandela will not attend the centenary celebrations. His wife Graca Machel will also not attend, but Mandela's children from his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela - Zindzi and Zenani - will represent their father.
Motlanthe will open the golf tournament with a light breakfast with the participants, who include former Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi, Advocate Johnny de Lange, Kaya FM station manager Greg Maloka, Advocate Dali Mpofu, ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni and ANC Women's League secretary Sisisi Tolashe.
Yesterday, some service providers who wanted to remain anonymous claimed that the ANC had not paid them for the services rendered and were on the verge of walking out.
Those that complained to Sowetan are contracted for catering, constructing marquees and providing buses to transport people to the stadium on Sunday.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said the contractors were paid deposits and would be paid in full when they had completed their work.
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