Fans ready to support Zuma
July 30, 2006
By SOLLY MAPHUMULO
Members of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust pranced, danced and sang their hearts out as they made their way from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal this weekend, to attend his eagerly awaited trial tomorrow.
Zuma is facing two corruption charges similar to those for which Durban businessman Schabir Shaik was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail last year.
The state alleges that Zuma and Shaik had "a generally corrupt relationship" and that Shaik facilitated a bribe for Zuma from French company Thint in exchange for his support of the company's bid for the multibillion-rand arms deal contracts.
On Friday afternoon enthusiastic Zuma supporters gathered outside the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, where they boarded a taxi to KwaZulu-Natal to support their idol during his trial at the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Song
A song, Uchwensa kahle we Thabo Mbeki engani uyihlo uBush unevolovolo. Nami ngichwensa kahle engani uZuma ungungqondongqondo (Mbeki, you have a nerve to be rude because your father George Bush has a gun. I have a nerve to be equally cheeky because Zuma is a genius) reverberated in the taxi as it left Johannesburg on its 600km journey.
The travellers were buoyed by passing motorists who encouraged them by sounding hooters as they saw the flag hanging outside the taxi window bearing the words, Wenzeni uZuma (What has Zuma done)? During the journey, the supporters often stopped singing and discussed politics, accusing Thabo Mbeki of being behind a plot to thwart their hero's march to the presidency of the country. Regarding businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, who earlier this week denied he was seeking the presidency, their advice to him was to forget it and focus on his businesses.
They believed former national prosecutions boss Bulelani Ngcuka betrayed Zuma and former ANC MP Tony Yengeni when he investigated them for corruption. Occasionally bursting into song, they chorused, "Msholozi wami ngibambe ngesandla ngingayi kuNgcuka" (My Zuma hold my hand so I do not wander towards Ngcuka), referring to Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The supporters constantly criticised Mbeki, saying he had manufactured a plot against Zuma. "Unetulo Mbeki" (Mbeki you have a plot against Zuma), shouted the members.
Zuma's number one supporter, MaMkhize Xaba, who is in her forties, was there. Xaba told of how she had lost her job because she was supporting Zuma during his rape trial. She punched the air with her fist: "Heita nkalakatha (genius), heita," as she lovingly looked at the picture of Zuma
When the taxi stopped at a filling station for petrol, the members got out and showcased their dancing skills.
Danced
Even petrol attendants abandoned their work for a few minutes and watched as Xaba and her friends danced.
They then belted out revolutionary songs including Zuma's signature tune: "Awuleth'umshini wami" (bring me my machine- gun). The Jacob Zuma Trust members said they were not coming to the province to only attend the trial, but also to sell T-shirts at the Zuma Fundraising Festival which took place at Durban's Kingsmead Stadium yesterday.
Albert Zuma, one of the travellers said, "We respect him and believe he is innocent".
On Friday, Albert left his home in Katlehong at 11pm to show his loyalty to Zuma. "I will always be loyal to him (because) he is a good man. If it means travelling at night to attend the trial, so be it," Albert said.
They were prepared to brave the cold winter and hold a vigil to pray for Zuma from tonight until his court appearance at the Pietermaritzburg High Court tomorrow morning, Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust secretary Lucky Zibi said.
"We will always be there for Zuma. We will support him until the trial is over. He is our hero. We love him," Zibi said.
