JZ does a duck to avoid protests

Zuma's visit to the township would have been his first public engagement after the love-child scandal involving him surfaced.

The president fathered his 20th child with Sonono Khoza, the daughter of his friend, soccer boss Irvin.

Yesterday, the tour of the ANC stronghold was suddenly cancelled, apparently after the ANC caught wind of disruptions planned by gender activists.

But the party was quick to claim that Zuma's long-scheduled attendance at a meeting in Western Cape of its national working committee yesterday was responsible for the cancellation. They said the meeting was expected to last until late in the evening.

Spokesman Zizi Kodwa said: "Because of the [committee] meeting we have no option but to cancel his visit. We are not aware of any planned protest."

Zuma, together with other ANC national executive members, is in Western Cape as part of commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the release from prison of former president Nelson Mandela, and of the unbanning of anti-apartheid political organisations.

ANC leaders are meeting party organisations in the province in preparation of next year's local government elections.

Zuma will give his state of the nation speech on Thursday night before the opening of parliament on Friday.