Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Saturday stressed the need for unity among the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the face of months of infighting.

Mandela, who led the ANC from 1991 to 1997, told tens of thousands of supporters at a stadium in Pretoria the party should “celebrate and reaffirm” its guiding principles.

“Do not let individuals, sections, factions or groups consider themselves superior to the organisation… We need discipline, leaders and members who respect their organisation,” he said at the rally held to mark his 90th birthday last month.

“Our nation comes from a history of deep division and strife. Let us never through our deeds or words take our people back down that road,” he added.

Party leader Jacob Zuma told Mandela that he continued to unite the nation and was also the “glue that has held this revolutionary movement together.”

“We look to your teachings for guidance as we work tirelessly currently to rebuild and re-unite our movement which has been intensely affected by a host of organisational challenges,” he said at the rally.

“Your legacy is a book for all to read. If we do not learn, it cannot be your fault. You have played your part,” he added.

The ANC has been divided since last December when Zuma toppled South African President Thabo Mbeki as party leader.

Zuma, 66, favourite to succeed Mbeki as president in elections to be held next year, however currently faces corruption allegations.

His trial is due to open on Monday in Pietermaritzburg, with Zuma facing 16 charges, including money laundering and racketeering.

Zuma has been under investigation for the past eight years and has always maintained his innocence. He has promised to step down if convicted.

Courtesy of;http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080802/wl_africa_afp/safricapoliticsanniversarymandela;_ylt=AkS.qCH9IZLbiayWtmWw79S96Q8F