Reaction to the Jacob Zuma crisis was reflected in National Youth Day celebrations yesterday, with the former deputy president forced to plead with the crowd at a rally in Nelspruit not to divide the African National Congress (ANC) by criticising President Thabo Mbeki for sacking him.

“Phansi ngo Mbeki! Phambili ngo Zuma!” (Down with Mbeki! Up with Zuma!) the crowd chanted earlier as Zuma took a lap of honour around Nelspruit’s packed Matsulu stadium during a Youth Day rally.

“We must not be seen to be dividing the leadership of the ANC,” Zuma rebuked the youth in a departure from his prepared speech.

“In no way in the meetings of the ANC, as the ANC, can we sing badly about our president. There are channels in the movement.

“If we are not happy with whatever the ANC does, or its leadership (does), let us use these channels.

“We must maintain unity,” he said.

Zuma was implicated in corruption in the Durban High Court trial of his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, by Judge Hilary Squires.

Zuma has since been “released” from his duties as deputy president, and handed in his resignation as a member of Parliament.

There was clear support for Zuma among KwaZulu-Natal youth at another Youth Day rally at the Princess Magogo stadium in KwaMashu yesterday, with youths chanting Zuma’s name and demanding that he be brought to address them. They quietened down only after being told by KwaZulu-Natal Youth Commission chairman Nhlakanitho Ntombela that “no matter how loudly you shout” he could not address them because he was in Mpumalanga.

Meanwhile, President Thabo Mbeki addressed another Youth Day rally at a nearly full Absa Park stadium in Kimberley, urging the youth to see themselves as builders of SA.

The youth should also embrace development programmes and accept help offered by South Africans, he said after being welcomed with a big cheer.

In his first public address since his dismissal from government, Zuma said the issue of his conduct and the National Prosecuting Authority was a question of constitutional rights that had to be accorded every South African citizen.

“There is no one to be found guilty when he has not been taken to any institution or court.

“I have been extremely dealt with, unfairly, by my own democracy. I said I have been tried and convicted by the media and indeed convicted by a judge in absentia. It is unfair,” he said.

“I’m clear as anything in my conscience that I have committed no crime,” Zuma said.

Heavily armed policemen and bodyguards surrounded Zuma as he walked around the stadium, accompanied by Mpumalanga premier Thabang Makwetla and ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula.

Zuma was introduced to the crowd as the deputy president of the ANC. “Viva Gedleyihlekisa! Viva!” the programme director said, referring to Zuma by his middle name, going on to chant: “Hundred percent Jacob Zuma! Hundred percent!” — a youth league slogan coined in its support of Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Business Day.