'JZ Numero Uno'
2007-12-20 07:26
Polokwane - ANC members continued to celebrate Jacob Zuma's victorious ascension to the party's presidency on Wednesday night and well into Thursday morning.
An aircraft hangar at the Polokwane airport was the venue for a celebratory bash, hosted by the ANC Youth League.
Around 500 revellers gathered in the hangar swaying to blaring music while watching their new president on a large screen perched alongside massive speakers.
By 02:00, however, Zuma had not made an appearance at the event and it was unclear whether he was attending at all.
The crowd was, however, not fazed by this: the long, bumpy road to their candidate's presidential bid was finally over and it was time to party.
Alcohol flowed freely and people queued for a large serving of "pap and braaivleis". The attire was casual and many sported T-shirts with the words "JZ Numero Uno" printed on the back.
A few of the older revellers were draped in large wraps baring Zuma's image to keep warm in the breezy hangar.
Senior ANCYL members in attendance included Sihle Zikalala and Thandi Tobias. The league's president and ardent Zuma supporter, Fikile Mbalula was not spotted among the partygoers.
The elation among Zuma's large support base began as soon as his election victory over rival and former ANC president Thabo Mbeki was announced on Tuesday night.
The ruling party is now tasked with repairing the rift caused by the intense leadership battle between the two men, but Wednesday night was for celebrating - which members did with zeal.
- SAPA