Deputy president Jacob Zuma is to embark on a two day imbizo in KwaZulu-Natal next week.

Zuma, whose name looms large in the Schabir Shaik corruption and fraud trial despite the fact he has not been charged, will visit the towns of Eshowe and Ixopo on November 24 and 25 respectively as part of the government's attempt to interact with ordinary people.

Despite the fact that the trial has revealed that financial management is his Achilles heel and calls his reputation into question, Zuma still remains hugely popular with the masses and his ability to fraternise with ordinary people is well known.

Zuma's spokeswoman Lakela Kaunda told the Daily News yesterday that the aim of the imbizo was for the deputy president, whose presidential ambition depends on the outcome of the trial, to meet with ordinary people and to inspect government projects undertaken in those areas.

With acknowledgements to Bheko Madlala and the Daily News.