ANC KZN salute President Jacob Zuma

12 April 2016

We salute our revolutionary and fearless leader, President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, on his birthday. A fearless and indomitable servant of our people was born into an impoverished rural homestead in KwaZulu-Natal 74 years ago.

In his youth he joined the African National congress where he was nurtured and rose in the ranks. As a young activist, he gave up the best years of his life while imprisoned on Robben Island. 

However, incarceration did not dampen his fighting spirit. On his release he once again reported to the frontline as a soldier in the people’s army, Umkhonto weSizwe, he distinguished himself as among the bravest of his generation. Seeking neither favour nor fortune, he put himself at great risk with an eye on the greatest prize of all – the freedom of his people.  When freedom was won he was again at the barricades. 

This time as a soldier of peace bringing brothers and sisters at war in his home province to embrace each other as siblings in spite of their political differences. When called again to duty in the highest offices in the land, he responded as a servant of the people.

We embrace him as a man like any other, of weakness and great strength.  None can doubt that he was born of the people and has dedicated the seven decades of his being to their service. 

Today our hearts and drums beat in unison. Comrade President your people and their organization, the African National Congress, calls upon you to continue to guide them on their journey to a national democratic society. These masses fully understand that whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop them from that journey under your leadership.

They have a hope of a glorious and prosperous future forever inspired by the Latin saying: Gloria est consequenda- Glory must be sought after!

Long live President Zuma, long live Meholozi.

Issued by Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC KZN Provincial Spokesperson, 12 April 2016