Zuma calls for end to infighting at ANC's 105th birthday celebration

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday the party needed to end infighting and focus on winning back public support, as he tries to unite an increasingly divided party.

At the ANC’s 105th birthday celebration at Orlando Stadium in Soweto township, southwest of Johannesburg, an event usually reserved for self-congratulation, Zuma struck a more humble tone.

“Our people have told us that we come across as too busy fighting one another and do not pay sufficient attention to their needs,” 74-year old Zuma told thousands of supporters dressed in the ANC’s yellow and green.

“We must give our people hope, we must unite against our common enemies, which are unemployment, poverty and inequality, and not against one another,” he added.

Some senior ANC members called for Zuma to resign in November, pointing to the damage several corruption scandals had on the party’s image following its worst ever local election performance in August.

Zuma has also been accused of arrogance and failing to acknowledge waning support for the ANC after he made comments about the party being supported by God and ruling until “Jesus comes back”.

Widening divisions in the ANC have intensified the debate over who will succeed Zuma at a party conference in December and also likely take over as South African president at elections in 2019, given the party’s national dominance.

The ANC’s influential Women’s League on Saturday said it would back Zuma’s ex-wife and African Union Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as a candidate for ANC leader.

Zuma said during his speech that a new ANC leadership would be elected in December, suggesting he will step down then. South Africa’s constitution dictates Zuma must stand down as the country’s president after his two five-year terms end in 2019.