Zuma to build new shopping mall

DURBAN: Forget about President Jacob Zuma’s multimillion-rand homestead or “Nkandlaville” development, now brace yourself as Zuma is planning to build a mall in Nkandla to be known as Zuma Square.

The president said he would build the mall after retiring from running the country and his other political commitments.

Zuma made his dream known on Saturday during the opening of Mavundla Square in Greytown, the first mall in the rural town. The shopping centre is entirely black-owned.

“When I retire, I want to build my own mall and name it Zuma Square in Nkandla town. Definitely I will build it. I will also invite you when we open it,” he said.

The new mall, built by his friend, businessman Philani Mavundla, was the fulfilment of a dream which he first introduced to a number of businessmen during a breakfast meeting a few years ago, Zuma said.

The arrival of Zuma in Greytown excited the locals, who were bustling to see him or possibly shake his hand. They were treated to a free KFC meal after the event, while VIPs were invited to Mavundla’s stylish doublestorey house for a banquet.

Before opening the mall, Zuma visited the nearby Matimatolo village to open a crèche which Mavundla had also built for the community.

Speaking off the cuff and in isiZulu, Zuma kept people, who were packed into a white marquee erected on the roof of the mall, laughing at his jokes.

Unusually, he even extended his sense of humour to journalists, shaking hands with each of them. His bodyguards remained on the lookout for trouble.

He said he would one day walk into the new mall to window shop, but he would not buy “because I don’t have money”.

The centre has a Shoprite supermarket and a variety of fashion outlets, furniture shops and food offerings.

Speaking of the history of the town, Zuma mentioned its roots in politics, which dated back to the colonial era when political offenders were prosecuted in the town.

“Even King Dinuzulu was sentenced here. The history of this town is important.”

Asked for an update on plans with Zuma, Mavundla just said Public Protector Thuli Madonsela “no longer wants to take the money”.

“The only thing she wants is to fight Zuma. She is just rude,” he said, declining to say how much had been raised to date.