Zuma’s N$15 000 birthday cake

JOHANNESBURG – Hush-hush preparations are under way for a lavish birthday banquet this week for Jacob Zuma, the Daily News reported yesterday.

It said more than 1 000 people had been invited to celebrate the 65th birthday of the African National Congress deputy president at Durban’s International Convention Centre tomorrow. The guest list includes senior ANC Youth League, Cosatu and ANC Women’s League personalities.Much of the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal leadership are also expected to attend.Busloads of senior political and social supporters are expected to enjoy a meal and live entertainment.Questions are now being asked in political circles about who is funding and organising the costly affair, expected to cost several hundred thousand rand.People speaking for the various factions of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust gave conflicting reports about who was behind the party.The Gauteng wing of the trust apparently met on Monday to finalise plans for the party.A massive N$15 000 cake would be the centrepiece of the evening.Trust spokesperson Kaizer Mohau said: “Fundraising will be central to the event, but I’m awaiting a report with the final details as to what our actual plan is.”Trust chair Don Mkhwanazi said the Zuma family was hosting the function.”The trust’s mandate is to gather funds and not organise the party.The family is organising it,” he said.Nampa-sapaThe guest list includes senior ANC Youth League, Cosatu and ANC Women’s League personalities.Much of the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal leadership are also expected to attend.Busloads of senior political and social supporters are expected to enjoy a meal and live entertainment.Questions are now being asked in political circles about who is funding and organising the costly affair, expected to cost several hundred thousand rand. People speaking for the various factions of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust gave conflicting reports about who was behind the party.The Gauteng wing of the trust apparently met on Monday to finalise plans for the party.A massive N$15 000 cake would be the centrepiece of the evening.Trust spokesperson Kaizer Mohau said: “Fundraising will be central to the event, but I’m awaiting a report with the final details as to what our actual plan is.”Trust chair Don Mkhwanazi said the Zuma family was hosting the function.”The trust’s mandate is to gather funds and not organise the party.The family is organising it,” he said.Nampa-sapa