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jz calls dissidents snakes

A group of ANC members at the rally addressed by Jacob Zuma at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 02/11/08. © Sowetan.
A group of ANC members at the rally addressed by Jacob Zuma at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 02/11/08. © Sowetan.

Kingdom Mabuza

Kingdom Mabuza

ANC president Jacob Zuma dismissed the National Convention Movement as a new marriage between disgruntled former ANC members and the DA.

"They agree with the DA 100 percent and we know that DA leader Helen Zille does not agree with the Freedom Charter," Zuma said.

Addressing a rally at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto yesterday, Zuma said the ANC became aware of plans to form a political party after the Polokwane conference last December.

"Meetings were held in St Lucia in Durban and in various homes," Zuma said.

The ANC decision to take yesterday's rally to the 12000-seater amphitheatre almost backfired when the swelling crowd went hysterical, chanting Zuma's name as he arrived.

Marshals were powerless when people watching proceeding on the big screen outside forced their way into the amphitheatre when the waving Zuma arrived.

Opening proceedings with prayer, Reverend Isaac Mokoena of the All African Federation of Churches warned people opposed Zuma: "Zuma was not only elected by the people, but he was selected by God. Whoever fights with Zuma is fighting with God."

Referring to people who attended the convention in Sandton as snakes, Zuma said that is how the Zulu language identifies a person who works against his own people.

"In isiZulu, when you are an ANC member but you do things against the ANC, you are a snake. That is how it is explained in Zulu, and that does not mean I am insulting other people."

He urged people to register and vote for the ANC to remain in power to enable it to govern in their interests. He said the ANC had prioritised education, crime, rural development and health.

Zuma paid tribute to struggle heroes who emerged from Soweto during the fight against apartheid.

"We cannot speak about the struggle and leave out Soweto and people such as Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Tsietsi Mashinini."

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