'JZ lives in Nkandla, we live in hell'

The mention of President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead has driven a group of 10 unemployed men "crazy".

They watched the "fuss" made over Zuma's visit to their neighbour's house in Imbali, in KwaZulu-Natal, from the stoep they sit on for hours each day.

Said 27-year-old Andile Ngcobo: "His visit makes no difference to us. We are struggling like hell but the people on the top have it all."

All 10 men have been unemployed since matriculating.

Said Ngcobo: "We do odd jobs but we spend most of our time sitting here. People talk about 20 years of democracy. Well, nothing has changed for us and our community."

Mulamuli Jali, 23, said there was no development in the area.

"If Zuma came to my house, I would tell him I am hungry. Everyone here is hungry. Children go to school without eating because there is no food," he said.

Zanele Majola, 59, cheered Zuma's arrival, saying the Nkandla scandal was just "bad news".

Thulebona Maphumulo, 21, burst into tears when Zuma entered his home yesterday morning as part of the presidential imbizo in Pietermaritzburg.

Following the death of his parents three years ago, Maphumulo has been struggling to feed his three brothers, aged 12, 10 and seven.

Maphumulo obtained three distinctions in matric but he could not afford to go to university to fulfil his dream of becoming a chartered accountant.

"I never expected the president to come to my house but I am so happy that he did," he said.

Zuma had donated groceries and school uniforms to the family, and promised to fund Maphumulo's university education through his trust.