Government spokesman April Eyodwa confirmed the theme park “will just about manage to remain on the acceptable side of exploiting ethnic culture” and offer the chance to sample Zulu food such as maize porridge. Attractions for day visitors will include an audiovisual presentation about the origin of Zulus and the history of the Zuma clan, a guided walk around the compound, an explanation of the traditional social organisation of the Zulus such as how many wives tribesman may take, spear-making, a beer-drinking ceremony and a buffet lunch with traditional food like smileys. The highlight, however, is probably one of the best choreographed Zulu dancing shows in the country with a Zuma dobbelganger playing the role of the President.
Eyodwa said in the light of the controversial R246m upgrade to Nkandla the Cabinet was unanimous in a decision to open Nkandla to honest paying customers like taxpayers. “They can bring their kids and enjoy the place. There will be stuff for the children too, like ‘n foofy slide into the fire protection reservoir, commonly known as a swimming pool.”
Meanwhile Zuma said while he never asked for the multi-million rand state-funded makeover of his private house, he fully agrees that Nkandla should now be open to the paying public.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said the R246m spent on the renovations at Zuma’s Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal was excessive but if Zuma could not repay some of the costs, turning it into a resort could be the second best thing.
Initially Zuma shifted the blame to government officials, saying he did not ask for the renovations and he would not repay it.
“They did this without telling me,” he was shown saying on ANN7. “So why should I pay for something I did not ask for. Putting merry-go-rounds and stuff like that at my place will be great as long as they leave a bungalow with a hot shower for me and the wives,” he was heard saying during a door-to-door election campaign in Gugulethu, Cape Town.
The cost of the refurbishments, which include a helipad, a swimming pool and even a chicken coop, ballooned from the initial estimate of R65m in 2009 to R246m. Only around an additional R104m will be spent to refurbish Nkanda into a theme park.
Democratic Alliance said they were against the theme park plans as they are against anything that’s not their own initiative.
