Hani widow backs JZ
MEMORIAL FOR SLAIN LEADER: LIMPHO PLEDGES ALLEGIANCE TO ANC
‘I went through this journey because of Zuma. He became a father to my children.’
President Jacob Zuma received a much needed political moral boost yesterday as Chris Hani’s widow, Limpho, pledged her unwavering support for the ANC and revealed a personal favour that Zuma did for her family during their difficult times.
Zuma is facing a barrage of criticism over two credit rating downgrades and increasing calls within and outside the ANC for him to step down.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the murder of SACP leader Hani in Boksburg yesterday, the widow dismissed any suggestion that she was against Zuma. Instead, the former parliamentarian said she should not be associated with either of the factions currently fighting for the soul of the ruling party.
“I don’t belong to a faction, I belong to the ANC. I am a member of the ANC and there is one ANC,” Hani said.
She stressed that her late husband was a loyal ANC member. The widow blamed the media for the ongoing infighting within the party, saying society had been bombarded by fake news from social media. “The media can make the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent,” she said to loud applause.
Hani lambasted the civil society groups that organised the national march last Friday, calling for Zuma to step down. “No civil society marched to support those poor workers. I feel there is a need for civil society and workers to work together,” she said.
Hani thanked Zuma for looking after her family after she told him the difficulty they faced. “I went through this journey because of President Zuma. He became a brother to me and father to my children. He was a pillar of strength to us,” Hani said.
She said Zuma was the last ANC leader to see Hani alive.
The crowd supported Zuma, singing freedom songs bearing lyrics that recognised the legitimacy of his leadership. There was little chance for anyone who intended to make a speech critical of him as the crowd subtly booed the mention of names of his opponents, such as SACP second general secretary Solly Mapaila.
Zuma said his government was mulling a response that would unite and satisfy South Africans to the country’s credit rating downgrade.
He said he called Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, his deputy Sfiso Buthelezi, Reserve Bank gov- ernor Lesetja Kganyago, and Sars boss Tom Moyane to a meeting yesterday to discuss the government response to the latest downgrade by Fitch Ratings. “We met this morning to discuss how we will respond to unite the country as we move forward,” Zuma said.
Earlier Zuma unveiled a plaque for the Hani Memorial and Walk of Remembrance at the Elspark gravesite in Boksburg.
Hani was murdered by Polish immigrant Walus Walusz in the driveway of his Boksburg home on 10 April, 1993. His grave site was declared a national heritage site.