Zuma encourages South Africans to vote

Zuma made the comments at the Thubalethu Stadium in Melmoth yesterday.  

The President handed over water storage equipment to the Uthungulu District Municipality in northern KZN. 

The area is one of the hardest hit by the current drought. 

The Presidency's Bongani Majola says President Zuma believes South Africans should go out to vote.

"He did say that the vote is one of the most valuable thing to use for the community especially for black people because for many decades they were not allowed to vote in their own country. 

"He said that it was very important that their vote becomes their voice and they have a say in who governs them and how that person or that group of people govern them," he said.

Meanwhile Zuma asked for respect and pleaded for calm in the country. 

More than 10 000 people gathered at the drought relief imbizo. 

He reminded them that he is still the country's president. This after opposition parties and influential South Africans called for his resignation over the Nkandla debacle. 

The Constitutional Court last week ruled that Zuma flouted the Constitution when he failed to comply with the Public Protector's remedial action over upgrades to his private home. 

The president apologised on Friday for the way the issue had been handled. 

The weekend of April 9 and 10 is the last chance to register to vote.

(File photo: Gallo Images)