Economic development and facilities should not be the sole preserve of previously whites-only suburbs, President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.

Addressing hundreds of people at the official opening of the Pan African shopping centre in Alexandra, Zuma said the township needed to have all basic services that "are taken for granted in historically white areas".

He named amongst others shopping facilities, proper roads, electricity, water and sanitation, quality schools and clinics and affordable public transport.

"We will not rest until that happens," Zuma said, alternating between English and isiZulu throughout his speech.

He said the centre was a great opportunity to create employment in "ekasi" [slang for a township], adding that the opening of the mall was "ample evidence" of the ANC's election slogan becoming a reality.

"Slowly but surely, we are changing the face of the townships in the country... We said during the elections that we believe that 'working together we can do more'."

Touted as having a "first world shopping environment" along the lines of other shopping malls in the country, this 16 000 metre squared centre was developed as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project.

It also the first fully-integrated shopping mall and taxi-facility to be developed by the Pan Africa Development Company (a company established in partnership with local entrepreneurs and the two main taxi associations in Alexandra).

Some of those present were the company's head, Tebogo Mogashoa, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, ANC provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and ANC provincial secretary David Makhura.

There were loud cheers and screams from the crowd as Zuma officially declared the mall open, calling this event "a beautiful thing".

Zuma said it was inspiring to be in Alexandra because of the resilient spirits of its people.

Lunch for Zuma

After the launch, Zuma, his entourage and other guests were escorted into the mall for lunch and drinks in the elegantly decorated second floor.

A large number of people were seen walking around to view the mall while others shopped for clothes and groceries.

Many residents shared the view that the mall would mean less digging deep into their pockets for transport fare to malls like Sandton which ,besides the new mall, is closest to the township.

However, some voiced their dissatisfaction about job opportunities, saying not all the workers hired were residents of the area.

Earlier, Zuma visited The Grace Bible Church, Maponya Mall and the Hector Peterson memorial in Soweto.

His, visit was part of a tour to thank people for voting him into power in the April elections.

"We came here to thank you for voting the ANC into power," he told an excited crowd of hundreds, including ANC veterans, at the Hector Peterson memorial site.

This was after he laid three wreaths at the memorial. One of the them had the letters ANC spelt out in yellow daisies.

Some tourists and tour guides stood watching and taking photographs of the crowd until Zuma's arrival shortly after midday.

Addressing his supporters, he said he wanted to begin his visit in Soweto because it was the "face of South Africa" and the home of the ANC. Most people in the ANC leadership had come from Soweto, he said. Zuma said he wanted to do what he had promised and that was to keep in contact with people.

"The ANC's about truth, there's no question about what the party does."

A toll-free line

Promising to set up a presidential toll-free line to allow people to lodge complaints with his office, he said this would allow them to avoid going through their local councillors.

One elderly man, Gabriel Sekgotho, was given the opportunity to voice his complaints to Zuma. He said "his millions" were being spent by officials and he was trying to get his money back. Zuma called him onto a stage that had been erected for the occasion, to get his details and said they would deal with the matter.

The crowds dispersed soon after dancing and singing along to Zuma's trademark song "Umshini wami", which the crowd had requested.

Using public transport to get to the event was 74-year-old Rebecca Motshele and her friend Betty Banda, 90, both in full ANC uniform.

"We came to see and hear what our president has to say to us and also share some of our concerns," said Motshele.

Sapa

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