Plans for R2bn 'Zumaville' push ahead

04 May 2014 - 13:55 By Sapa
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President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal. File photo.
President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal. File photo.
Image: File photo.

Plans for development of a R2 billion town near President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead are moving ahead.

Two weeks ago Zuma met local businessmen to discuss the project for building the town, officially called the Umlalazi-Nkandla Smart Growth Centre, but dubbed 'Zumaville' in the media, the Sunday Times reported.

At the meeting Zuma said: "It's going to be the first town of its kind to be built by black people after democracy."

Uthungulu district municipal manager Thembeka Mchunu said the plans were being finalised and building would already be underway if not for the elections on Wednesday.

She said there would be private investment in the project, but declined to name these investors.

The town is just over 3km from Zuma's Nkandla home and is expected to cost around R2bn.

Nkandla municipal manager Sthembiso Mthembu, however, said he did not know about the project besides what he had gleaned through the media.

"I don't understand why, if a town is going to be built in our area, we're not part of it as the Nkandla municipality," he said.

The project was the brainchild of Masibambisane, a rural development organisation which Zuma and his cousin Sibusiso "Deebo" Mzobe co-chair.

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