KZN parties ... without Zuma
2007-12-22 17:34
Durban - Nothing will stop African National Congress president Jacob Zuma from becoming the next president of South Africa, the party's KwaZulu-Natal secretary Johan Mchunu said on Saturday.
He was speaking at a beachfront celebration in Zuma's honour in Durban.
Zuma was not there and was not expected either. He was thought to have spent the day at his home in Nkandla.
He cancelled a visit to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in Nongoma earlier on Saturday, reportedly tired after arriving back from Polokwane later than planned.
Zuma was scheduled to attend an event in Greytown on Sunday, but it could not be established whether he would indeed be there.
'Tried and tested'
"He is a tried and tested leader and will never fail the people. He is a man of honour and integrity and he will be on of the best presidents for the country," Mchunu said.
The beachfront celebration was attended by, among others, Foreign Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad, KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele, Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Cele, and Durban mayor Obed Mlaba.
Mlaba told Sapa the celebrations would continue into the evening with 4 000 people expected to attend.
These included members from all ANC branches throughout South Africa, and the ANC Women's League and ANC Youth League.
'This is our victory
"We just have to celebrate before Christmas because this is our victory," said Mlaba.
The event reminded ANC members of the formation of the ANC and the election of its first president Dr John Langalibalele Dube - a liberator, activist and a man of his people, he said.
"Zuma is like Dube. He is a man who is concerned about development, he is very passionate about education and hopefully he will be the next president," said Mlaba.
By late afternoon, the party was already in full swing with ANC delegates - most of them sporting ANC T-shirts and shorts - dancing or sitting on sofas around tables drinking while watching Zulu dancers from ten marquees set up on the beachfront.
Mchunu stressed that the celebration was also to thank ANC supporters for believing in Zuma.
- SAPA