As regional and global thought leaders gather in Durban, South Africa for the World Economic Forum on Africa 2017, South African president Jacob Zuma, was hard-pressed to put on a brave face after recent boos by angry masses during his May day address.
Zuma addresses WEF Africa on being booed and welcomes investors to Africa
The president said he had no problem with the fact that he was booed as South Africa is a democracy, not a dictatorship.
“Who elected this president? Is it not the masses? And then who represent the masses? It’s not me? I am an African. I was elected by the Africans, what is your problem? Why do you discard the majority, huge majority, that elected the government here.”
He also welcomed the attendance of more than 1000 delegates from about 100 countries present at the forum.
“The fact that there is unprecedented attendance, it indicates that the world is moving with the development. So I am very happy. The call is come to Africa… We are interconnecting Africa, we are developing infrastructure to make business easy to do in Africa. So the message is, come to Africa, that’s where things are happening.”
The 3-day forum which lasts till Friday is being held under the theme, Achieving Inclusive Growth through Responsive and Responsible Leadership, comes at a time that Africa’s most developed economy is facing turbulent times.