South Africans attending the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Saturday have plenty of advice for him on his second term of office.
Young and old – some geared in traditional and political party attire – packed the Southern Lawns to witness the presidential inauguration.
Their advice to President Jacob Zuma focused on improving service delivery in rural areas, youth development and job creation.
– “Ntate Zuma, proceed, go well. Just remember us [the] poor,” – Daniel Mokete, Free State
– “South Africa is too big, Zuma can’t satisfy everyone, but he has done some good in my village,” – Abel, Free State
– “President Jacob Zuma needs to closely monitor ministers who are not fulfilling their roles in communities.” – Alpheus, Tzaneen
– “I would like him to be honest and to stop giving our people empty promises,” – Laurence, Mpumalanga
– Muonya from the Free State says the president must facilitate the building and completion of RDP houses that government started building five years ago in Botshabelo. Muonya says unfinished houses remain vacant in the area. “I am one of the victims, I don’t have a place to stay,” says Muonya.
– “Ministers must work hard and not relax and sit in government feeling comfortable while people are suffering,” – Wilson, Katlehong
-“He should provide more on education and provide more on bursaries and learnerships.” – Precious, Mpumalanga
– Jake from Modimolle in Limpopo says Zuma needs to consult more with South Africans before making decisions that affect communities: “Zuma must consult, then implement. Not just to sit there at the top and do nothing as if he is deployed to sit and do something from his own knowledge.”
Citizens also congratulated Zuma and wished him well in his second term as president of South Africa.
Zuma thanked the crowd for attending the inauguration ceremony and promised to uplift the country’s economy, create more jobs and encourage youth development.
Video: South Africans give President Jacob Zuma advice on his second term of office.
Document: Read President Jacob Zuma’s speech at the Inaugural Ceremony below:
– By SABC: Matiba Mutheiwana, Senior Multimedia Producer
