Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa on Wednesday closed ranks around President Jacob Zuma saying those who criticised him would not be able to do a better job, given the opportunity.<\/p>\n
Mthethwa was introducing the president to a packed marquee where the Masiqhakaze Women\u2019s Organisation hosted a Christmas party for the elderly at Savannah Park Sports Grounds near Chatsworth.<\/p>\n
“Dogs don\u2019t bark at stationary vehicles, they howl at moving vehicles,” he said in IsiZulu, loosely meaning empty tins make more noise.<\/p>\n
Mthethwa told the elderly that they should ignore those who were “making noise” about Zuma.<\/p>\n
“We like the way that the president is running the country. We want him to continue to govern the people.<\/p>\n
“Don\u2019t worry about those that are making noise about the president. People will always talk, they are armchair critics.”<\/p>\n
He said Zuma\u2019s critics were like commentators on the sidelines of a soccer game.<\/p>\n
“When you say play the game, they don\u2019t even know where to begin.<\/p>\n
“We are happy with the way you do things, Mr President,” Mthethwa said to loud ululation from the crowd.<\/p>\n
Zuma has received wide criticism for the axing of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and replacing him with the unknown David van Rooyen.<\/p>\n
Zuma later reconsidered “after listening to the people”. He then appointed Pravin Gordhan as the finance minister.<\/p>\n
Earlier, while waiting for the president to arrive, Doris Mkhwanazi, 76, from Savannah Park told News24 that she woke up at 4:00 in the morning just to see the president.<\/p>\n
“I wanted to get the best seat,” said Mkhwanazi.<\/p>\n
Dressed in a white formal blouse, she said she chose the shirt because it was for special occasions.<\/p>\n
“I woke up this morning, got dressed and made porridge because I knew that we were going to wait.”<\/p>\n
She said when she heard that the president was visiting the elderly, she wanted to be among the crowd.<\/p>\n
“Grannies in Umlazi are envious of us, you know,” she said.<\/p>\n
She said if she had an opportunity to speak to the president, she would thank him for everything.<\/p>\n
“I pray God blesses him,” she said.<\/p>\n
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