Former president Nelson Mandela has praised Jacob Zuma, the new leader of the African National Congress (ANC), as a man who could unify the divided party.
In a message of congratulations, Mandela said: ”Our experience of Comrade Zuma is of a person and leader who is inclusive in his approach, a unifier and one who values reconciliation and collective leadership.”
”We have no doubt that he will bring those well-known characteristics to his task of leading our organisation,” he was quoted as saying by the Saturday Star.
Mandela urged the divided ANC to rally behind Zuma.
Zuma ousted party leader Thabo Mbeki after intense rivalry at the party’s national conference in Polokwane last week.
Before the election, Mandela, who decided not to endorse one candidate or to attend the conference, said divisions within the party race were saddening.
He said it was inevitable the results of the elections would be interpreted by some ”as an overwhelming victory for one camp or faction over another”.
Mandela’s spokesperson on Friday dismissed rumours that former president’s health has taken a turn for the worse.
Zelda la Grange said her office had been flooded with inquiries.
”Rumours have again surfaced about Mr Mandela’s well-being. Mr Mandela is in the former Transkei where he is enjoying the festive season with his family,” she was quoted as saying.
”He is due back in Johannesburg only towards the end of January.”
Zuma ‘will never fail the people’
Meanwhile, the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary Johan Mchunu said on Saturday that nothing can stop Zuma from becoming the next president of South Africa.
He was speaking at a beachfront celebration in Zuma’s honour in Durban.
Zuma did not attend the celebration and was thought to be resting at his home in Nkandla.
Zuma cancelled a visit to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in Nongoma earlier on Saturday and was reportedly tired after arriving back from Polokwane.
”He is a tried and tested leader and will never fail the people. He is a man of honour and integrity and he will be one of the best presidents for the country,” Mchunu said.
The beachfront celebration was attended by, among others, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad, KwaZulu-Natal Premier S’bu Ndebele, provincial transport minister Bheki Cele, and Durban mayor Obed Mlaba.
”We just have to celebrate before Christmas because this is our victory,” said Mlaba.
Mlaba said the event reminded him of the formation of the ANC and the election of its first president Dr John Langalibalele Dube — a liberator, activist and a man of his people.
”Zuma is like Dube. He is a man who is concerned about development, he is very passionate about education and hopefully he will be the next president,” said Mlaba.
By late afternoon, the party was in full swing with ANC delegates — most of them sporting ANC T-shirts and shorts — dancing and watching Zulu dancers.
Mchunu stressed that the celebration was also to thank ANC supporters for believing in Zuma. – Reuters, Sapa