Mandela to grace Zuma’s first State of the Nation address

 

African National Congress veteran and former South African president Nelson Mandela is expected to grace President Jacob Zuma’s first State of the Nation address next week, only when his health allows him to, said Speaker of the house of Parliament Max Sisulu, yesterday.

“Former president Mandela has indicated that he wanted to attend, but, as we all know, he is frail,” Sisulu told a media briefing at Parliament.

Madiba who will be turning 91 very soon, was driven in a golf cart when he attended Zuma’s inauguration in April.

In his address, President Zuma is expected to give details about his government’s five year plan which was discussed during the four day Lekgotla he held with his cabinet which started on Monday.

Zuma’s government is faced with major challenges due to this week’s announcement that South Africa faces a recession for the very first time in 17 years.

The treasury department made an announcement on Tuesday that South Africa’s gross domestic product has drastically dropped by 6,4 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

This leads to predictions that even more jobs will be lost in an economy that has already cut more than 200000 jobs in the first quarter of 2009.

Concerns are rising on whether Zuma’s government will deliver on the promises the ANC made during the election campaign.

Among the invited guests for this occasion is also former president Thabo Mbeki, but has not yet responded.

Former presidents Baleka Mbete and Phumzile Mlambo- Ngquka are set to also grace the occasion.

President Zuma will be greeted with a 21 gun salute, a fly over by the air force and a national salute by the ceremonial guard of the defense force.

Source: http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1008694

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