Maybe I’ll be mayor of Nkandla, says Zuma

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma says he wants to run for election as ward councillor in his home town of Nkandla, once he retires as president.

He says he will welcome a call from the ANC to deploy him as a ward councillor or even mayor in the town.

Zuma was speaking at the special provincial funeral for struggle veteran Riot Mkhwanazi in KwaDlangezwa on Sunday afternoon.

Mkhwanazi and Zuma were imprisoned together on Robben Island and worked together during exile after their release.

‘When I say I want to be a councillor in my ward when I take my pension, people laugh,’ said Zuma.

‘But it is not personal – it’s organisational. I was just telling someone yesterday, that my ambition is to be mayor of Nkandla, one day.’

The Inkatha Freedom Party won Nkandla Municipality with 54% of the vote, compared to the ANC’s 44.25% in the August local government elections.

The ward in which Zuma’s home is situated, Ward 14, was retained by an ANC councillor.

‘It’s not about me, it’s about the ANC – an example that Comrade Mkhwanazi showed here in the City of uMhlathuze,’ Zuma said, referring to Mkhwanazi’s willingness to serve as a ward councillor in for KwaDlangezwa, despite his struggle credentials.

‘He was a stalwart, but did not hesitate to become a councillor. He did not say no, I must be up there and honoured among others. He did not think himself too important. And that is politics,’ Zuma said.

He also said that many should learn from Mkhwanazi’s dedication to the ANC and South Africa, and would be following his example.

‘He taught us that leadership is all about service. If we as the ANC are to succeed, we should take lessons from him.’

Around 4 000 people attended the funeral, among them Mkhwanazi’s extended family, ANC heavyweights and a large contingent of uMkhonto we Sizwe members.

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