Hawkers and guards lose out on pay after Zuma’s prayer no-show

29 April 2016 - 17:55 By Bongani Mthethwa

Hours after the sudden cancellation of a national day of prayer event‚ which was to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma‚ some oblivious ANC supporters were patiently awaiting his arrival outside Durban’s Absa Stadium on Friday. Andile Dlamini‚ 21‚ from Mayville in Durban‚ was unaware that the event was not going to take place. The presidency only announced the postponement on Friday morning‚ which frustrated hawkers who had already arrived with their. Clad in an ANC T-shirt and concentrating on his cellphone‚ Dlamini expressed surprise when told Zuma was not coming. “Hawu! I didn’t know that. I’m very disappointed. I wanted to hear what the president was going to say.” ANC supporters were milling around the stadium unaware of the postponement. Temporary guards contracted to Fidelity Security Service were told by their bosses at 5.30am that the event had been cancelled.Zamo Ngcobo‚ 51‚ from KwaMashu‚ said: “We only got to know at 5:30am when we were already here [at the stadium]. But others say our bosses were told at 3am. We were not told what the reason behind the postponement was.”Three unemployed people who were hired as guards by another company expressed anger over loosing out on their pay for the day. The women did not have money to return home.Thabi Zulu‚ 35‚ from KwaDukuza on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast‚ said they were only told about the postponement at 7.45am.“We’re frustrated because we don’t have money to go back home. We’re waiting for people we know to help us. When some people told us about the postponement we just ignored them and dismissed it as just another April Fool’s joke‚” she said.Busi Zondo‚ 34‚ from Tongaat‚ said they usually get paid R260 or more‚ depending on the event.But for hawker Noluthando Gcado‚ 35‚ from Lindelani near KwaMashu‚ the cancellation meant that she had lost R4 000 or more which she usually makes at similar events by selling pap‚ meat‚ hotdogs and snacks.Gcado‚ who skipped working as a cleaner for the day to make more money‚ woke at 3am and arrived at the stadium at 9.30am. "Now I don’t even have R500 to hire a van to take my stuff back home‚” she said.Presidency spokesman Bongani Majola said the reason for the postponement was insufficient time to ensure sound logistical preparations for such a large event. The event will be held on a date yet to be announced.Religious and civil society leaders were expected to join government in praying for the consolidation of democracy‚ national unity‚ social cohesion‚ rain‚ successful and peaceful local government elections. The prayer service would have also marked the launch of Africa Month. - TMG Digital..

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