Zuma wants to hear what the people have to say
President Jacob Zuma went on a walkabout on Monday to ask people what they want him to address in the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday.
He interacted with informal traders, commuters and a few foreign nationals seeking assistance from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in Pretoria CBD, during his unannounced visit.
“I have listened attentively to all the concerns of the people,” said Zuma.
“The foreign nationals complained about bribery, saying they pay officials a lot of money to get refugee or asylum permits.”
Zuma asked an official from the DHA to explain the processes to the foreign nationals queuing outside the premises and added: “I am satisfied that their concerns will be addressed.”
The president claimed he would inform the minister of home affairs, Malusi Gigaba, of the matter.
“I had the opportunity earlier to interact with commuters, shoppers and some of the informal traders who all told us about some of the challenges they face daily.
“These includes lack of proper shelter for their shops, and problems relating to bylaws, as they said they are having difficulty with the municipality.”
Zuma promised the commuters and informal traders that he would send the minister of small business development, Lindiwe Zuluto, to attend to their problems.
“The visit has been helpful for me ahead of the SoNA, especially with regards to hawkers, cooperatives and survivalist enterprises. Life is quite difficult for the people here,” he concluded.
Watch the SoNA by President Jacob Zuma tomorrow at 6pm on various media sources.
