DURBAN - Former president Jacob Zuma told a strong crowd outside the Durban High Court that free education should not only be free, but compulsory.
Zuma was addressing the crowd after appearing in court on a litany of charges, which include fraud, corruption and racketeering. His case was postponed to July 27 and moved to the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Outside the court, Zuma supporters, who had come out in their numbers in ANC green and yellow, filled the high court precinct.
Addressing supporters, he said the Freedom Charter was clear in that free tertiary education should be free and compulsory.
"The Freedom Charter does not say education will only be free, it also says it will be free and compulsory. This is important, let us not ignore compulsory and pretend it is not in the Freedom Charter, it is there. If we want to implement that clause, let us make it free and compulsory. As black people we were deliberately starved of education so that we remain poor, as we are now," said Zuma to applause.
About #FreeEducation #Zuma says this must not only be free, but compulsory @SundayTribuneSA @IOL
Watch: #Zuma addresses supporters #ZumaCharges pic.twitter.com/LWeku0Szx4
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
Zuma said education was important for nation building and urged young people to study towards vital careers. He joked and said students should not all aim to be pastors and urged the youth to study towards critical skills needed in the economy.
Not everyone needs to be pastors, people need to learn other professions, #Zuma jokes, adding about the importance of #FreeEducation
Watch: #Zuma addresses supporters #ZumaCharges @SundayTribuneSA @IOL pic.twitter.com/Uww1KdoDD9
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
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ANC has not disciplined members for wearing party colours at #ZumaCourt
Former president Jacob Zuma will face his day in court related to corruption charges. Picture Leon Lestrade. African News Agency/ANA
Zuma's supporters marched to the high court precinct under the banner of #HandsOffZuma. They ululated and chanted songs, mostly in praise of Zuma.
#HandsOffZuma #Zumacharges @SundayTribuneSA pic.twitter.com/gd5X5J2Cn5
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018 As Zuma left the courtroom under heavy police guard, there was a thunderous raw from the supporters who chanted his name, "Zuma, Zuma".
Link: Watch: former President Jacob Zuma walks out of the Durban High Court to his #HandsOffZuma supporters @SundayTribuneSA @IOL #zumacharges pic.twitter.com/Q5lBPbMwgM
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018 On stage, representatives from each province were called to speak.
KwaZulu-Natal representative, Meshack Radebe, told the crowd that rumours of Zuma leaving the ANC were false. Zuma himself had already denounced the calls last week.
#Zuma is not leaving the ANC, says the KZN representative @SundayTribuneSA @IOL #HandsoffZuma #Zumacharges pic.twitter.com/1fjuFO20Jh
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/karinda_j/status/1005006143423418368?s=21
While former ANC spokesperson and MKMVA member Carl Niehaus said Zuma was the best president since 1994. The recently fired North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, said he would support Zuma no matter what.
Watch: MKMVA’s Carl Niehaus doesn’t hold back at the #HandsOffZuma march #Zumacharges @SundayTribuneSA @IOL @TheMercurySA @DailyNewsSA pic.twitter.com/G1D6Tx8hJP
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
“There is no other President since 1994 who as done as much as Comrade Zuma” says MKMVA’s Carl Niehaus #ZumaCharges @SundayTribuneSA @IOL He later called for everyone to shout “Don’t provoke us” pic.twitter.com/F8F4QHLNir
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
Former North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo says “we should stand up for Zuma no matter what happens” #ZumaCharges(Zuma wipes his eyes after giggling) @SundayTribuneSA @IOL pic.twitter.com/N8DfOh3YUJ
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
Zuma ended his address with his trademark song, Mshini Wami (bring out my machine gun)
“They mustn’t take my name because I am no more the president” @SundayTribuneSA @IOL
Watch: #Zuma addresses supporters #ZumaCharges pic.twitter.com/bNwIuPXaJp
— Karinda Jagmohan (@Karinda_J) June 8, 2018
Watch: #Zuma ends his speech with his favorite ‘uMshiniwam’ @SundayTribuneSA @IOL pic.twitter.com/bZici3mXwy