Comfort visit to Zuma’s family

RELIGIOUS leaders paid a visit to former president Jacob Zuma’s family at Nkandla this week to show solidarity and to pray with the family over his incarceration, the recent death of his younger brother Michael, and ill health of his first wife, Sizakele Makhumalo.

The visit was facilitated by the provincial South African Council of Churches (SACC), and led by its national general secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana.

Accompanying Mpumlwana were Bishop Rubin Phillip, of the Anglican Diocese of Natal, Bishop Nkosinathi Myaka, chairperson of the KZN Christian Council, Reverend Simphiwe Mkhize, chairperson of the KZN Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of SA, the church of the Zuma family, Reverend Canon Hamilton Mbatha, vicar-general of the Diocese of Zululand, as well as Reverend Kenneth Sibanda of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Phillip said the day spent at the Zuma homestead turned out to be a “good, positive and a healing one”. He said the group was warmly received by Makhumalo and Zuma’s fourth wife, Bongekile Mangema. Michael’s widow, who lost her husband after a long illness three weeks ago, was also present.

Phillip emphasised that as men of the cloth, they were not involved with the politics surrounding the former president’s incarceration, however their role was to extend spiritual support. He said time was spent worshipping, praying, chatting and enjoying a well-prepared lunch.

“We went out of care, as we would any other family. We shared scriptures and prayed and talked about how they were, and in praying that God be with them and give them strength during what is a difficult time for them,” he said. “They talked about their feelings, saying they were missing the former president, but that God had given them strength to cope with the situation.”

Phillip said although the religious leaders were aware of Makhumalo’s recent ill health, it was not dwelt on and that they approached the subject cautiously, addressing all she was dealing with through prayer.

“But we were not cautious about expressing our love for the family and concern for the former president, and we enjoyed wonderful fellowship,” he said. “Makhumalo was excited and full of life when we were there. We laughed a lot and we were thankful that we made this trip. We are good Africans, so we had a wonderful meal; they were so generous and hospitable.”

Mpumlwana said they had made the visit to help the family cope with the pressure of the situation they were faced with.

“The dignity of the Zuma mothers in the turbulence of this moment as a family, tells of the strength of the human spirit and the presence of God’s grace in all circumstances,” he said. “May we all, in that spirit, rise above the bewilderment of 2021, also mired in Covid-19, and occasion the emergence of a South Africa big enough for all our just aspirations.”

Mzwanele Manyi, spokesperson for the Zuma Foundation, told the Sunday Tribune that he was not aware of the pastoral visit.

Edward, Zuma’s eldest son, said in recent days the homestead had been frequently visited by religious leaders, and that he had not been part of the latest visit.

“I am not a religious person. I fellowship with the ANC; I was born by the movement and will be buried by it,” he said.