'Stampede' to see Zuma

2010-03-12 10:40

Johannesburg - Sporting a Bafana Bafana soccer shirt, President Jacob Zuma paid a surprise visit to the community of Marabastad in Pretoria on Friday, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

"Because of Fridays being soccer Fridays, he used the day to promote the World Cup and use the opportunity among our people to create a jovial mood as we go to the World Cup."

Kodwa said the early morning visit was also an opportunity for Zuma to interact with people and listen to their complaints about service delivery.

"He listened to the people and listened to the hawkers," said Kodwa.

Kodwa said because the community was situated around a railway station, there was no shelter on rainy or hot days.

"Sometimes the hawkers can't work because there is no shelter."

Jovial mood

The residents also appealed to the president to talk to the municipality to improve their situation.

Zuma said he would speak to the mayor and the department of transport to especially help the small businesses.

"It was amazing. It was a jovial mood and we had to avoid a stampede."

Kodwa said the president had planned to spend two hours with the community; however he had to leave after just one hour.

"We simply could not stay because of the mood and had to abort because of the excitement of the crowd," said Kodwa.

- SAPA