Canaan Mdletshe

President-elect Jacob Zuma's home in rural Nkandla in the outskirts of KwaZulu-Natal was yesterday abuzz as final arrangements for the families and close relatives' trip to the Union Buildings in Pretoria got under way.

For many it was a case of witnessing history as "homeboy becomes the president of the country".

The bus trip from the rural village to the Union Buildings was paid for by Zuma himself.

Nkenke MaYengwayo Zuma, wife of Zuma's late brother, said yesterday that "all roads from Nkandla were heading for Pretoria".

Six buses - of which two are for family members and relatives - have been organised.

MaYengwayo said they were anxious for the "big day". The trip got under way at 3pm yesterday.

MaYengwayo said they were expecting throngs of local people to accompany them to the Union Buildings.

"I know that there is huge interest from people who want to go to Pretoria and the four buses are just like a drop in the ocean.

"But at the same time we feel very humbled that there are so many people who will accompany us," she said.

Halala Sibiya, a member of the Jacob Zuma education trust fund, said they could not miss the inauguration.

"Only death could stop me from attending. Ubaba has been through hell and back and we want to be there to witness history in the making.

"This will go down as one of the great days in the country and we want to be there so that one day we will tell our children and grandchildren about it," said Sibiya.

The entire Nxamalala clan from Nkandla is expected to be led by local chief, inkosi Bhekumuzi Zuma.