By: Sihle Ndebele

After President Jacob Zuma was admitted to hospital on Saturday, opposition parties wished him a speedy recovery.

On the 7th June, the office of the president announced that President Jacob Zuma had been admitted to Pretoria Hospital for tests and check-ups.

Opposition parties surprised many when they wished President well. They are known to always be in a tussle with the ruling party and the president. This time around the Democratic Alliance and National Freedom Party wished Zuma a speedy recovery in a discussion JournalismIziko had with their representatives.

Speaking to JournalismIziko, newly appointed Democratic Alliance’s parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said that they wish president a fast recovery.

“We as DA, we wish him a speedy recovery so that he will come back and continue to lead this country going forward. We had already sent him a speedy recovery message and we hope he will get well soon’’ Maimane said.

Newly sworn in Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and National Freedom Party leader Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi echoed similar sentiments as DA’s parliamentary leader.

“We have released a statement where we wish him a speedy recovery. I believe it is nothing serious as Mr Maharaj said that it is just tests and check-ups. Nevertheless we would like to pass our message as the National Freedom

Party that we wish him to recover very soon because as a country, we need him,” said KaMagwaza-Msibi said.

The presidency released a statement on Friday saying that President Zuma will take a short break and he will work from home until his break ends.

“President Jacob Zuma will take a few days off from public engagements while continuing to perform official duties from home. The president is in need of a rest following a demanding elections and transition programme to the new administration,” said Mac Maharaj in a statement.