SOUTH AFRICA: It takes a real man to apologise - Zuma supporters

Melmoth – It takes a real man to stand up in front of the nation and apologise, ANC supporters said on Sunday, putting their full support behind President Jacob Zuma.

Felintwenhle Mhlongo said President Jacob Zuma should pay back the money spent on the non-security features at his Nkandla home because he was going to inherit it when he retires. (Amanda Khoza, News24)

More than 15 000 people gathered at the Melmoth sports grounds in KwaZulu-Natal to hear Zuma address them at an imbizo on the drought.

While opposition parties and some prominent South Africans have called for Zuma to resign after a monumental Constitutional Court judgment found that he and Parliament had violated the Constitution, thousands in KwaZulu-Natal expressed their love for Zuma, singing "We love Msholozi".

Zuma addressed the nation on Friday apologising for how the Nkandla matter was handled.

Responding to the court's judgment on the security upgrades at his homestead, Zuma said he was ill-advised on the matter. Zuma also reiterated that he would pay back the money which was spent on the non-security features.

Humbled himself

One of the many who said Zuma should remain as president was Njabulo Majola, 21, from Vuma in Ntumeni.

He said: "It takes a real man to humble himself in front of the nation and apologise. People must accept the president's apology and move on from this Nkandla debacle."

Majola said people should rather focus on the 2016 local government elections.

Felintweyakhe Mhlongo, 63, from Nkandla said Zuma was right to apologise.

"Those who handled the project were in the wrong. Zuma did the honourable thing and apologised because it happened at his home."

Mhlongo said Zuma should pay back the money because once he retires he would inherit everything on the homestead in the KwaNxamalala village.

"Those that want Zuma to step down don't know what they are talking about. We, his supporters, are the ones who will say when he must step down."

Mhlongo said he did not care about the Constitutional Court ruling.

"The ruling means nothing to us. We will say when Zuma must step down," he said.

Forgiveness

Ruby Biyela, 54, said she still loved and supported Zuma.

"I forgive him and will continue to vote for the ANC," said the woman who travelled from KwaMagwaza.

Anton Dludla from Eshowe said he would never stop supporting Zuma.

"We have seen a lot of development here and it is all because of Zuma. We can see what he has done for us. If he saw that he made a mistake and apologised for it then we support him," said Dludla.

December Mthembu, 59, from Empangeni also said she accepted Zuma's apology.

"He apologised, but in my eyes he did nothing wrong. I still support him. I have been in the ANC since 1982 and I will die in the ANC."

News24

Note: The fanatics don´t has eyes to see, mind to judgment! - CDC