If you’ve ever visited or lived in a village you’ll understand the following statement. If you haven’t, then this is even more important for you to know: village life isn’t easy.

Water is not readily available – there’s definitely no hot water – and there are no flushing toilets. The state of the roads would prompt a Sandton housewife to have a mental breakdown and did I mention there’s no sanitation whatsoever – so the poorest families resort to using shrubs and bushes in an attempt to preserve their dignity. The nearest schools are far away and healthcare services even further.

It is in this context that our

president, Mr Jacob Zuma, has built his sprawling homestead. His house is so impressive that some village elderly and young children come out of their mud huts to watch the “city lights” come on

every evening.

While speculation continues as to whether this spectacle is lawful and if we, the taxpayers, are funding it, we’re perturbed about how inappropriate it is given the local context. We wonder about the calibre and quality of this brand of presidential leadership, about the precedent this sets and how morally unjustifiable his actions are. We can’t help but be embarrassed on his behalf.

DRUM’s chief journalist Kaizer Ngwenya visited the now internationally famous Nkandla village where locals are divided by not only a river but also their sentiments regarding the recent developments. See page 20.

I don’t know about you but I can’t bring myself to walk out of a mall without picking up something nice for my boys. If you’re like me then this issue is for you because it’s packed to the brim with kiddies’ fashion, décor for children’s rooms and food kids will love. See page 55. I can’t wait to get cooking with my little men.

Make sure you get your copy of DRUM next week as we’ll be giving away a R50-off voucher from Tekkie Town when you buy a pair of shoes for R299. Until next week,