Despite the sweltering heat, more than 9 000 people; young and old, excitedly gathered and patiently waited to catch a glimpse of South African President Jacob Zuma at the first Presidential Imbizo of the fifth administration after the general elections.

DUT’s Indumiso Campus, Imbali township, Pietermaritzburg, was proud to play host to the Imbizo which took place yesterday (30 September 2014). The activities of the day began with a service delivery expo, where the President and his delegation comprising of various Ministers, Deputy Ministers and KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu, visited residents of the township on a door-to-door basis.

Later, the community was able to engage with the President on issues relating to service delivery at the Imbizo which formed part of government’s theme: Together we move South Africa forward.

Community members were excited to be able to voice their concerns, such as high levels of crime, inadequate social services, unemployment and substance abuse, to the President.

Presidency Spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said President Zuma has committed all spheres of government to address service delivery and infrastructure challenges facing the community of uMgungundlovu District Municipality and its surrounding areas.

During his speech, President Zuma said he had visited 72 different homes in the area. He added that people who had voiced their concerns would all be attended to as his aim was to try and address issues affecting the Pietermaritzburg community. “We will waste no time in addressing your concerns and I have undertaken to monitor progress from time to time,” he said.

Helping him address the crowd was DUT’s very own sign language interpretor Nqobile Biyela, a Junior Lecturer in the Media, Language and Communication Department. “I was so happy and excited to have interpreted for the President of the country and it was my first time meeting him face to face, so it was a lifetime experience for me, one I will never forget. At first I assumed there would be certain protocol to follow but luckily, there was none that I was told to observe beforehand,” she said.

After the speeches, seven gogos (grannies) above the age of 100 were given blankets and food parcels, much to their delight; even prompting 104 year-old Sanele Phenyane to get up from her wheelchair and dance for the President.

-Waheeda Peters

Pictured: Pietermaritzburg residents yesterday came in their numbers to address President Jacob Zuma on their concerns regarding service delivery during the first Presidential Imbizo of the fifth administration after the general elections. Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, is seen with the President who handed out blankets and food parcels to seven gogos (grannies) above the age of 100 at the Imbizo.