Zuma’s Christmas cheer lifts grateful gogos
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma’s support in the business sector and academia and among the country’s politicos and middle class may have plummeted, but there was no sign of that when he played Father Christmas in Durban on Wednesday.
Zuma used the first leg of his annual senior citizens Christmas party, in Savannah Park, Durban, to address the criticism he faced this year.
Zuma’s off-the cuff speech drew a lot of applause, ululating and giggling from the crowd as he recounted events from his rural life.
Accompanied by his director-general Cassius Lubisi and Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Zuma said the elderly were there to guide society and instil values and respect. He said they were the backbone of families and should be protected.
“I respect people. I have much respect for everyone. I respect children and I even respect opposition parties and I do not even point fingers at them,” he said.
Zuma has had a rough ride from opposition parties this year, with the leader of the DA, Mmusi Maimane, calling him a broken man presiding over a broken society.
The EFF criticised his giggling as he refused to answer questions about his presidency, including those relating to his Nkandla home and the economy.
“I respect them all, yes I respect them,” he said this week — with a chuckle. “I do not get angry; in fact, I hardly get angry. If you are angry, your judgment gets cloudy and you end up taking irrational decisions.
“That’s why I have lived this long and surpassed my age limit. I am now living in a grace period,” said the 73-year-old.
Zuma lamented the destruction of family structure and values, which he said was bleeding morals from society.
“Family life and values had been replaced by the pursuit of individual interests,” he said. “These are often selfish and to the detriment of the greater good.”
Later, an isicathamiya group of prisoners who entertained guests at the event had Zuma in stitches when they sang songs with lyrics such as: “Mmusi Maimane and Helen Zille, leave Zuma alone and stop asking about the multimillion-rands house . . . you Julius, you should stop, and Thuli Madonsela, please protect the president of the republic.”
From time to time the group leader took the microphone to impersonate Zuma’s now infamous cry of “Nkaaandlaaaa”.
Clementine Khena, 77, said she did not care who Zuma appointed as the minister of finance as long as that person did not cut the social welfare grant.
Khena was referring to Zuma’s controversial decision to axe finance minister Nhlanhla Nene and replace him with the unknown David van Rooyen, only to sack him four days later and appoint Pravin Gordhan.
“Every employer has a right to employ whoever they like. uMsholozi bahlale bemsukela nje [they are always accusing Zuma],” she said.
Zuma will today preside over the second leg of the senior citizens Christmas party, at Mnyakanya High School sports ground in Nkandla.
Zuma donated two cows for the parties.