PLANS are under way for a series of nationwide festivities to celebrate Jacob Zuma’s birthday who will turn 80 in April.
This was revealed by Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi yesterday.
He indicated that the celebrations would not be limited to his home province of KwaZulu-Natal as there was a lot of interest from different parts of the country about the birthday celebrations.
“It is the national celebrations, taking place in various parts of the country. Details are still sketchy at the moment,” said Manyi.
The foundation’s Twitter account indicated that tomorrow, the programme of his birthday celebrations would be unveiled along with monthly themes. With the country’s state of disaster over Covid-19 set to end in March, it is expected that festivities will draw large numbers of people.
The foundation spokesperson also reiterated that Zuma will not attend proceedings at the Pietermaritzburg High Court this week. Judge Piet Koen is expected to hand down his ruling in the matter of the leave to appeal application brought by Zuma on Wednesday. Zuma has applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal on the matter of state advocate Billy Downer. Zuma wants Downer to be removed from the prosecuting team in his arms deal corruption case.
“The point really is that H.E. President Zuma will not be attending but will respect the court by sending his attorney to attend and formally receive the judgment. The foundation and family are always free to attend even on February 16 (Wednesday) if they are available,” Manyi continued.
He emphasised that Zuma’s absence in court was not a sign of disrespect.
THE MERCURY