Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has extended good wishes to all South African mothers as the world observes Mother's Day.
"[On] this day that reminds us of the special people in our lives and our country, the mothers of our nation, we think of mothers in all types of families - families that are well-off and content, families in distress or living in poverty, families that are separated due to all sorts of reasons and families that extend a loving hand to others by offering love and support.
"The common denominator in all these types of families is the presence of mothers or mother figures that pull everybody together all times, providing unity, strength, direction, comfort and support. We congratulate mothers for playing this role of building families, communities and our nation," said Zuma.
He acknowledged the role played by grandmothers in South African society.
"Although having completed their official parental role, many grandmothers in our country continue to head households and to raise children. We congratulate the granny-headed households, which play a key role in maintaining positive family life and providing love and care to many children who would otherwise be alone, due to parents working far from home, or having passed on."
