Province is open for business
IT WILL be a bleak Christmas for impoverished children and senior citizens in Nkandla as there is uncertainty over whether the parties former president Jacob Zuma has hosted for them annually will go ahead this year.
With nine days until Christmas, the Jacob G Zuma RDP Education Trust, which organises the events, has yet to confirm that they will happen.
Halala Sibiya, senior officer at the trust, said: “We are going to meet on Sunday (today), and that is where we are going to plan and finalise everything about the events… There’s nothing finalised yet.” She would not comment further.
When he was president, Zuma’s Christmas parties were attended by Cabinet ministers and prominent business people. However, last year it was evident that his popularity among the who’s who was fading.
Only his die-hard supporters, Bathabile Dlamini, minister of Women in the Presidency, and former minister of State Security, Bongani Bongo were in attendance.
A source close to Zuma said he was unsure if the parties would go ahead.
“We haven’t heard anything as yet. But I hope we are going to hear something in the coming days because Christmas is around the corner. If the events do not happen (it) will be a huge blow for the community, which languishes in poverty,” said the source.
Resident Khonzephi Hadebe, whose son has received school uniforms from the trust, said: “I will be disappointed if these events don’t take place because my son has been receiving school uniforms since he was in Grade R, in 2015.
“I’m praying that everything comes together.” In July, the JG Zuma marathon, run between Seven Oaks, outside Greytown, to Umshwathi, outside Pietermaritzburg, was cancelled at the 11th hour. Organisers said the race, which was launched in 2015, was derailed because they had failed to secure sponsors.
Like this race, the Christmas events Zuma hosted in Nkandla were sponsored by business people and organisations.
A member of the ANC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no one wanted to be associated with Zuma because there was “a new sheriff in town”, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“So even funding his parties is problematic because you (a funder) would be seen as someone who still has ties with the old man.
And this might bring trouble to your door because the supporters of Ramaphosa are fighting to make sure that he (president) is not undermined,” said the party member, who added the Nkandla parties had not been finalised due to a lack of funds.
Zuma’s financial troubles deepened this week when the North Gauteng High Court found he had “illegally used” taxpayers’ money on his defence in corruption and fraud cases, and ordered him to repay millions of rand to the state.
While there is uncertainty over whether the Christmas parties will be held, a chess tournament sponsored by foundation will go ahead as planned on Thursday at Sibusisiwe Hall in Mandeni, northern Kwazulu-natal.
Sandile Xulu of the foundation, with former SAA as chairperson Dudu Myeni, said: “We are ready. Everything is sorted.”
Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma of the Nxamalala clan in Mpendle, outside Pietermaritzburg, also confirmed that the annual celebration of the Amanxamalala Trust, a Zuma family gathering held to celebrate the founder of the Nxamalala, Inkosi Matomela, would take place on Tuesday. KWAZULU-NATAL is ready to party as holidaymakers flock to the province for the festive season, bringing with them their spending power.
The MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, said his department had worked tirelessly in a bid to woo more than 850 000 domestic visitors and 150 000 international visitors.
This, he said, would see KZN cashing in on more than R2.4 billion.
Zikalala said tourist attractions such as ukhahlamba-drakensberg world heritage site and isimangaliso Wetland Park were among the drawcards.
“Our Midlands provide a unique tourism experience ranging from energy-driven activities such as hiking, gorge swings, rock climbing as well as 4x4 mountain driving through the fascinating Sani Pass that links the province to Lesotho.
“We have also organised a series of activities and events in all parts of the province to ensure that our visitors have a fulfilling and rewarding stay.” Last year, the province received about 600 000 domestic and 138 000 international tourists.
ethekwini mayor Zandile Gumede said safety and cleanliness were a priority and she expects zero-tolerance of criminal activities as well as littering.
“The deployment of security and police personal will ensure a memorable experience for the visitors, but stringent enforcement of rules and by-laws will be undertaken. Metro police will not only deal with controlled access to our beaches but will arrest anyone found to be flouting rules, violating by-laws and engaging in criminal activities,” said Gumede.
Most hotels in Durban were expected to be fully booked, she said.
Palesa Phili, chief executive of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, encouraged businesses to plan for the festive season to capitalise on the opportunities this period presented.
“They must put their best foot forward in terms of service, customer relations and delivery. This is also a unique opportunity to reaffirm Durban’s position as the most liveable city in South Africa in order to attract new and diverse customers and visitors.
“The Durban Chamber is confident that this will result in positive revenue growth for our members who are some of the largest contributors to the local economy through their retail, banking, tourism hospitality sectors,” she said.
Dumisani Nkabinde, the eastern regional manager of road agency Sanral, said the N3 freeway between Gauteng and KZN and the N2, which connects Cape Town with the KZN North Coast along the eastern seaboard, were up to standard.
“Road users will be able to travel the entire distance without encountering roadworks or having to wait for construction activities. Let us be kind and courteous to our fellow users and remember road safety is a team activity.”
The spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mluleki Mntungwa, said about 20 000 police officers had been deployed to monitor the province’s major roads, such as the N3 and N2.
Airports Company of SA’S Collen Naidoo said there was an increase in the number of people coming to Durban, with most of the flights being full.
Shopping malls were also buzzing, as trading hours have been extended from 9am to 10pm at the Pavilion, Gateway and Galleria. Some stores will also open on public holidays.
The SA Council of Shopping Centres’ public relations officer, Vishal Ramphal, said the malls were expecting an increase in foot traffic and a longer period of retail trade.
Pavilion marketing manager Julieanne Zuma said the consumer influx began this weekend and an increase in mall foot traffic has been noted.