Party animals? Not if you believe these party chiefs
● Will New Year’s Eve be a party night or a relaxed one for politicians?
Deputy President David Mabuza, still recovering from an illness that saw him jet off to Russia for treatment, will be relaxing at home in Mpumalanga with his family, says his spokesperson Thami Ngwenya.
For the colourful deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, relaxation is his preferred way of ushering in the new year. Tsenoli has earned admiration from South Africans for the entertaining way he presides in parliament; but on New Year’s Eve he will be in his study, reading. But why? Everybody will be out enjoying themselves with friends and family.
“Exactly, it will be the quietest day and as such perfect to read some stuff. That is what I will be doing,” he chuckled.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa also plans to take it easy. After the long political year, the General, as he’s known, prefers to welcome the new year in a relaxed mode. “That is all I will be doing, just taking it easy.”
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said his new year festivities would “sadly” not be all that wild. “I will be spending my evening with my wife and kids. We normally have a special dinner, pray for the new year and our country. We then spend New Year’s Day with friends and family at a party. Normally quiet and relaxed.”
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has been relaxing in his village this festive season and New Year’s Eve will be no different. “Here a braai is nothing special, we do it all the time because we don’t buy meat, we slaughter. That is what I am going to be doing. At midnight I will be awake joining in the fireworks festivities to usher in 2019 while shouting happy new year,” he said.
And if you are in the village of Lower Cala in the Eastern Cape you may get a surprise visit from him on the first day of the new year. Mantashe still maintains the tradition of going to different households in the village asking for “new year” gifts.
“I will be asking for new year’s [gifts] as I did on Christmas. Some will give Kool-Aid or Oros as they did on Christmas Day and I will be drinking, enjoying, reconnecting with my roots and my people,” he said.
COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota will spend the evening at his local Catholic church for a special New Year’s Eve prayer. Later he will be ushering in the new year with a braai and some wine with family.
“You know I spend time, days and months working and travelling between the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It’s only this time of the year that I get to rest with family,” he said.
IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be home in Ulundi with family on New Year’s Eve and will attend an annual special service held for him by the Anglican church.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said: “At home people usually come and pay their respects to him as a prince. He will slaughter a cow for them and there will also be a lunch with family and friends.”