I’m not dating Zuma, says entrepreneur
THE EFF has questioned President Jacob Zuma’s attendance at the official opening of a privately-owned shopping centre belonging to Mpumalanga businesswoman Norah Fakude-Nkuna next week.
The Presidency released a statement saying Zuma would “officially open the Dayizenza Shopping Plaza in Mahushu village between White River and Hazyview” on Saturday.
The R190 million centre was opened to the public in May last year at an event attended by provincial political and traditional leaders.
“What we know is that the family of Fakude-Nkuna will be celebrating the one-year existence of their plaza and we wonder how the president gets to be invited to a family celebration.
“However, there have been rumours that the president and the owner, Norah Fakude-Nkuna, are dating, hence he some years back (attended) her children’s birthday parties in his private capacity,” said EFF provincial leader Collen Sedibe.
The visit would raise many eyebrows as it was not clear whether state resources would be used for the private celebration.
Sedibe said Fakude-Nkuna’s family had invited the EFF to the “celebration for friends and family members” but they turned it down.
When contacted for comment on Thursday, Fakude-Nkuna confirmed that Zuma had visited the family before but dismissed suggestions that the two were romantically involved.
“Firstly, last year’s opening was a soft opening… An official opening can take three to five years but, because I’m happy with it (the plaza), I decided to open it officially,” she said.
“The issue of the president visiting for my children’s birthday is new to me and I am not dating the president.
“Everybody knows the president’s wives are seen with him during the day. Why would I be seen in public with him if we were dating?
“Yes, the president has visited our family many times, for work and also as a family... why would the president not visit us?
At the time of publication, presidential spokesman Bongani Majola had still not responded to questions sent to him via e-mail and SMS. – African Eye News Service