In a surprise move, ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela addressed people at the party’s 60th anniversary celebration of the adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown, Soweto, on Friday.

ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete asked Madikizela-Mandela to address the crowd on behalf of the veterans.

Madikizela-Mandela, dressed in all black, reluctantly approached the podium led the crowd in song, much to the delight of those present.

“It’s safe to say this day we recommit ourselves to the values of those leaders who sat here on an open veld and declared that we were going to have a freedom charter… today we remember all of our leaders,” she said.

“We are here because of them.”

She told the crowd that although people were struggling because of economic challenges, the ANC and President Jacob Zuma would do anything they wanted them to do.

Speaking in Xhosa, she also told Zuma: “You are not going anywhere.”

In the past, Madikizela-Mandela has criticised the ANC under Zuma’s leadership. News24