ANC Packs Stadium for 105th Birthday. Supporters Dance in Rain (Pastors Pray for Pause). Watch Zuma’s Speech Live.

Despite the rain, and contrary to critics’ predictions, and EFF leader Julius Malema’s call to not fill the stadium for the ANC’s 105th birthday celebrations today – the Orlando Stadium in Soweto is pretty full! In fact the atmosphere is electric and the stadium so packed that people are being allowed to occupy the pitch area as it’s the only space left (see below).

ANC supporters have come from all over the nation. According to reports, 115 packed buses came from KwaZulu-Natal.

President Jacob Zuma arrived amidst much security, and was accompanied by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

It is still raining today… but the ANC supporters have been praised for “dancing in the rain” and told not to worry because the rain “is a blessing” (although Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula tweeted that “Comrade Pastor Mboro has kneeled and asked higher powers to pause the rain”).

Scroll down to watch President Zuma’s annual 8th January statement live below.

#southafrica #ANC105 President Zuma arrives at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The ANC is 105 years old today pic.twitter.com/WqCMPEtVwW

— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) January 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/818014328687366144

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/818015726283923457

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/818012903890710528

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/818009182859395072

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/818007302355685376

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/817968535888654336

MT @LindokuhlXulu1: President J.Zuma takes a lap to greet supporters of the ANC around #Orlandostadium #ANC105 pic.twitter.com/TPlC8zAPt1

— eNCA (@eNCA) January 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/ThulasSims/status/818018071227076608

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/817824410660982788

Watch Live: President Zuma Delivers ANC 8th January Statement, Unity in Action