President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma arrived at the Grahamstown Military Base in a helicopter, his entourage of bodyguards, official vehicles and drivers were ready and waiting. He was escorted to the City Hall where hundreds of locals awaited him, many wearing Zuma T-shirts and singing political songs, including his trademark "Umshini wam".
President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma arrived at the Grahamstown Military Base in a helicopter, his entourage of bodyguards, official vehicles and drivers were ready and waiting. He was escorted to the City Hall where hundreds of locals awaited him, many wearing Zuma T-shirts and singing political songs, including his trademark "Umshini wam".
When the President paraded in front of the City Hall, accompanied by Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet and the mayor, the crowds sang louder and harder, drowned out only by the 6 SAI Military Steel Band belting out the National Anthem. Under heavy guard, Zuma was escorted to the Miki Yili stadium in Joza to deliver a speech, address the peoples grievances and accept the Freedom of Makana.
"President Zuma, just because we award you the Freedom of Makana, it does not mean you will not be fined for speeding," joked the city's Mayor, Zamuxolo Peter. Security was tight. Every person who passed through the gates of the Miki Yili stadium was searched thoroughly and their bags were scanned.
Grocott's Mail reporters Lungile Mparu and Akhona Qunta even discovered what happens when you get too close to the President for the liking of his bodyguards, finding themselves bodily removed from an area he was shortly to pass through.
Not everyone was as excited about the president's visit to Grahamstown. Mother of three graduates, Bathukile Baninzi, was one of those who felt it was unfair for the municipality to fork out R250 000 to host the president, while his two sons and daughter were still unemployed.
"My eldest son, Siyabulela, has a degree in Tourism Management from the former Border Technikon; Akhona has a Law Degree from Wits University and Bantu has an N5 in electrical engineering from Russell College in East London. "They are all still unemployed," said Baninzi. "I was disappointed that we were not given the chance to raise these issues with the president."
"We were told that Jacob Zuma was here to listen to our grievances. I am saddened by the fact that he did not address our issues as promised. The fact that he is telling us about the history of Makana, a person we are very familiar with, does not help us. We are hungry!" Said Phindiwe Rhathu, a pensioner who lives in a dilapidated house in Joza.
There were varying opinions, but many people were delighted with the President's visit. Among these were the abakhwetha (young men undergoing initiation), who abandoned their bush-camps to come and see their President, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.
