Dlamini-Zuma says education is 'number one‚ number two and number three' priority

Presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma kick-started her campaign in Nquthu on Thursday by giving hundreds of sanitary towels to Mhayise Senior Secondary School young girls‚ before embarking on a door-to-door visits in Ward 6‚ Nondweni.

Accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu and water and sanitation minister Nomvula Mokonyane‚ Dlamini-Zuma advised learners that it was important to study and prepare their future for a working South Africa. She said nobody should trample their right to learn.

"I must stress also that‚ as learners‚ you have rights; the right to be educated‚ the right to health‚ the right to uniform. And your responsibility is to study and learn‚" she said.

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Dlamini-Zuma said education was a huge priority for the country.

"Education is number one‚ number two and number three; everything else starts at four. This is why you need skills because they are an equaliser and the economy will grow if you have skills and talent‚" she told the learners.

Mchunu earlier introduced Dlamini-Zuma to the learners as a charismatic mother and politician.

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"It's through her humility that we even forget that she's a doctor. She's Dr Dlamini-Zuma. She's an accomplished doctor‚ accomplished politicians and accomplished mother‚" he said.

Dlamini-Zuma then moved to a door-to-door visit.

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Clad in a huge grass hat and a yellow ANC-themed short dress and black leggings‚ she went to Goodness Mnyandu's modest home. The 72-year-old urged Dlamini-Zuma to build a pension paypoint point closer to the community.

"We also want some houses. Some of us have been here longer but the houses are only obtained by new people in this area‚" said Mnyandu.

Dlamini-Zuma promised to take up all her issues with the leadership of the party.

She then handed over ANC T-shirts and pamphlets bearing the face of Ward 6 councillor candidate‚ Zamani Mathe. She is in Nquthu as part of the ANC's all-out attempt to win the local municipality.

The by-election takes place next week‚ with every ward up for grabs after the entire council was dissolved.

The area includes the well-known international tourist destination Isandlwana‚ which was the site of the historic Anglo-Zulu war battle of 1879.

- TMG Digital/TimesLIVE