African National Congress president Jacob Zuma received a rousing welcome from the more than 5 000 people who turned out for his annual Christmas party in Nkandla on Friday where he was due to hand out presents to hundreds of children.
More than half the crowd were packed into the large marquee outside Nkandla’s Mnyakanya Secondary School, where children were hoping to receive a present from him.
Earlier in the morning children were seen walking along the roads from as far away as 10km in a bid to get to the high school.
The event was scheduled to start at 10am, but only got under way shortly after midday.
On the stage alongside Zuma were KwaZulu-Natal minister of finance Zweli Mkhize, KwaZulu-Natal minister of safety and security Bheki Cele as well as KwaZulu-Natal minister of social welfare Meshack Radebe, who arrived by helicopter.
Also among the guests was Durban city manager Mike Sutcliffe, and businessman and long time Zuma stalwart Erwin Ullbricht. — Sapa