President Jacob Zuma delivered his final January 8 anniversary address in front of a packed Orlando Stadium in Soweto, signalling the first of many last events he would address as president of the ANC.

The 40 000-seat stadium was filled to capacity, with even the overflow area failing to hold all of the supporters who had been bussed in from across the country.

Supporters were transported mainly from the so-called “premier league” provinces which include the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West. KwaZulu-Natal had 189 busses traveling from the province to hear Zuma’s address.

Under the day’s theme of “unity in action”, Zuma called for unity within the ANC, urging the party to wash out “evil practices” which he said were tainting the organisation.