The African National Congress (ANC) comes first whether people like it or not and that is a fact, says President Jacob Zuma.

The president made the comments at a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the ANC's longest-serving president Oliver Reginald Tambo in Wattville. Tambo would have turned 99 on Thursday.

The president lauded Tambo for his leadership and values but also told the crowd he knew the leader who died in 1993 loved the ANC more than anything else.

"He loved the ANC and was not shy to say the ANC was his first of everything," said Zuma.

Guests at the ceremony included Tambo's children, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, Cooperative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen and Public Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

Zuma went on to say he had been chastised for saying the ANC came first to him but that he stood by the comments.

"After all the ANC brought freedom; that brought democracy. Whether people love it or not, it's the reality.”

Zuma said people who claimed he put his party above the country and the Constitution had forgotten the contribution made by ANC members.

He praised Tambo, who he said helped deepen the love and respect many had for South Africa.

"That's why many of us were prepared to die," he said.