ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma took his charm offensive to the pulpit when he was made an honorary pastor at a meeting of independent charismatic churches at Ntuzuma, north of Durban, on Saturday.

In the past few weeks Zuma has been seen embracing other church groups and Afrikaners and even travelling overseas to meet diplomats and presenting himself as a statesman.

At Ntuzuma's Full Gospel Community Church on Saturday, it was a day of long speeches, as priests and bishops proclaimed their support for Zuma, saying they would back him all the way to Limpopo in December, when the next ANC leader will be chosen.

In an apparent swipe at President Thabo Mbeki, pastor Qiniso Shabalala said: "We want a leader who sees poverty and walks and lives among poverty-stricken people in Nkandla, rather than a person who learns about poverty through the Internet."

Zuma was later brought to the podium, where a prayer was dedicated to him.

Bishop Ben Mthethwa then put a clerical collar on Zuma and declared him a priest.

Zuma thanked them and said independent churches had been born during the difficult time of apartheid oppression.

Meanwhile, the move by Bishop Mthethwa to declare Zuma a priest was "shameful", the Christian Front (CF) said yesterday.

"There seems to be no end to the disgraces that follow Zuma around. Zuma is an opportunistic politician and is now also trying to woo the church into his corner," said Councillor Rudi du Plooy.

Du Plooy cited Zuma's rape trial and his views on same sex marriages "as a disgrace to the nation and God" and reasons why he should not be made a pastor.

"Scandal and court cases abound in his life. It is outrageous for a person like this to be seen as a humble servant of the Most High," he said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Pretoria News.