ANC KZN branches back Zuma

President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Leon Nicholas.

President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Leon Nicholas.

Published Nov 25, 2012

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A song, prayer, beer and lots of meat. That’s the reality of Jacob Zuma as he wakes up today to the outcome of the nomination by KwaZulu-Natal ANC structures.

As delegates to the ANC’s provincial general council met in Durban yesterday to finalise nominations for the Mangaung conference, they sang for him. A few hundred kilometres away, his family, friends, relatives and supporters slaughtered animals, brewed beer and prepared for a feast cum prayer meeting.

However, if the mood at the Olive Conference Centre is anything to go by, then Zuma won’t need any prayers.

Sources said the majority of KZN branches have embraced Zuma for a second term.

All 11 regions agree that he should remain the president.

“UZuma uyabuya! (Zuma is coming back)” shouted provincial chairman Zweli Mkhize to rapturous applause.

Apparently some branches were divided on whether Kgalema Motlanthe or Cyril Ramaphosa should be his deputy.

“Otherwise the top six positions are a mixed bag. The branches nominated various people and the outcome will be known by tomorrow,” said a delegate from eThekwini.

Mkhize refused to pronounce on his nomination as treasurer-general of the ANC, saying he had no authority to speak on such issues.

While the meeting in Durban was under way, there was a hive of activity at Zuma’s home in Nkandla as his family congregated there for a prayer and cleansing ceremony.

“The Nxamalala family has come together because there is a dark cloud hanging above us,” said Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma. “We have been faced with a lot of bad luck, we need God to restore trust in the nation because how can we have a president leading a country that has no confidence in him.”

He said that although the prayer was a family affair, the community had been invited.

Preparation for the ceremony began on Thursday and on Friday, 12 cows were slaughtered. Two large marquees were pitched and at least eight taxis were hired to bring in people from the community.

Zuma’s wives prepared tripe yesterday, while the Nxamalala elders, including the president, went to a meeting that lasted four hours.

One of Zuma’s four wives, Nompumelelo Mantuli-Zuma, said: “I can’t discuss our family affairs. Matters regarding the Zuma home are only talked about by the men.”

Local taxi owner Bona Ndlovu said he had received an invitation to the ceremony from Inkosi Simphiwe. Ndlovu backed Zuma for president.

“Some of the things that have been reported about him are true, but we still want him to be our president.” - The Sunday Tribune

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