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Working for the poor: President Jacob Zuma attends the Non-Profit Organisations Summit held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg. PHOTO:GCIS

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Zuma said the contributions made by NGO's in uplifting the lives of many under-privileged communities had gone unnoticed.

"All that you read is the negative..." Zuma told hundreds of delegates attending the Non-Profit Organisations Summit in Boksburg, Johannesburg.

"But if I told you about the positive ... and the impact such organisations have on thousands of people, it would take the whole day..."

Zuma said there were doctors and scientists who were products of nonprofit organisations, such as those he runs, such as the Jacob Zuma Foundation, Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust and the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative.

Interestingly, the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative has been in the spotlight over the past three weeks about a R2-billion project at Zuma's Nkandla hometown in KwaZulu-Natal.

The government is reportedly expected to direct more than R1-billion of taxpayers' money into the development of what has been termed "Zumaville," while the other R1-billion will be raised from the private sector.

Zuma's detractors have accused him of using a private initiative - which was funded mainly by government departments to develop his hometown - charging that this was Zuma's way of trying to win support ahead of the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung, Free State, in December.

Reacting to negative reports - relating to "Zumaville"- at yesterday's three-day NPO Summit, that was hosted by the Department of Social Development, Zuma there was little said about successes, and argued that he had established the trusts to help "the struggling majority", long before he became president.

"At times, my children would not have what they wanted - because I would have to afford someone an opportunity but my children understood," Zuma said.

He urged business companies and organisations - as well as his "colleagues in government" to "open their doors" to financially burdened NPOs ,who were helping government in uplifting the livelihoods of many South Africans.

"I want to 'impact' on my colleagues in government that their doors and windows must be permanently open," Zuma urged.

- nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za

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Sat May 18 17:14:19 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 17, 2012

Papage

By the way Mmantuli and Vavi's wife are partners in one of the NGO's
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Aug 17, 2012

Nwanawamukalaha

If Zuma left Mozambique to attend the Lonmin violance/killings, why is he attending some less important matters unknown to the world and the public?

Zuma ke stlaela sa mafelelo.......
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