Nkandla: tears on a day of mourning

WHILE CYRIL Ramaphosa was being sworn in as the Republic’s new president in Parliament yesterday, the community of Nkandla were battling to accept the end of the Jacob Zuma era.

As some sang Struggle songs and danced, for many the mood was sombre. Tears flowed when ANC members were joined by locals and Zuma’s family outside the former president’s homestead, in what they said felt like a day of mourning.

Zuma’s brother Khanya Zuma said the family were still reeling from the abrupt end of Zuma’s presidency.

“He spent his life fighting for the liberation of this country. My heart is aching.

“We spent years without my brother, thinking he was dead while he was in exile. He fought alongside those who are finding fault with him today,” he said.

Khanya’s wife Sabani Zuma, who fondly referred to the former president as bhuti (brother), brought a chair when she joined the small crowd outside the Nkandla residence.

“I have a heart condition and high blood pressure. I can feel that this news has affected my health. I don’t feel well at all.

“My heart sank when I saw him on television, because I knew it was not his will. He still had a year to work for this country,” she said.

A former ward councillor in the village, Sbongiseni Bhengu, was proud of Zuma. He said the former president had represented South Africa to the best of his abilities.

Zuma’s exit from the highest office in the land was something he would take time to come to terms with, he added.

“I respect the ANC, but I still think this was not done correctly. We were not told why he is being removed and we are unhappy with this decision,” Bhengu said.

Not far from Zuma’s home, the locals were unanimous that despite his faults, they would have loved to see him complete his term as Number One.

“I am not a politician, but I know that Msholozi (JZ) is a man of the people. He is a humble leader who relates to the poorest of the poor,” Nkanyiso Duma said.

The community implored the ANC leadership to take them into their confidence and disclose why

ubaba did not complete his term. “Yes, we are hurt now but we are still ANC members, we deserve to know. Our votes made this party the governing party. They chose

ubaba to lead this country; surely it’s not too much to ask of them to tell us why he isn’t good enough anymore,” said one ANC member, who refused to be named.