President visits Tambo's village

Zuma slated those who "compare themselves to Tambo when in fact they are rude" - a virtual swipe at the ANCYL

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma used his visit to late ANC president Oliver Tambo's birthplace to consolidate his support in the Eastern Cape.

Speaking at Nkantolo in Bizana yesterday, Zuma slated those who "compare themselves to Tambo when in fact they are rude" - a virtual swipe at the ANCYL.

"Many talks have been made about this leader. There are not many leaders that we can speak of in the manner that we speak of Tambo. There are even those whom we are not sure whether they believed in him, but they say they do," he said.

He said Tambo was the first secretary-general of the youth league and was an exemplary and disciplined leader.

"The youth league that was built by Tambo, Madiba and Walter Sisulu had people who were deep thinkers ... (people) who helped the organisation to fight and conquer the enemy. They changed the ANC ... with humility and respect. Others don't understand this and think that they can change things with force.

"People want to liken themselves to this leader when in fact they are rude. He was never rude. These were the leaders who were respectful."

His visit followed the controversial cancellation of the ANC Youth League's rally in the same village at the weekend.

The ANCYL meeting was due to have been addressed by ANC dignitaries including Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who instead went to the opening of the OR Tambo National Heritage Site in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.