Top news items in major S. African news outlets

The following are highlights of South Africa's major media outlets on Thursday.

-- Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was not present at the Cabinet meeting that instructed him and two other ministers to meet banks on behalf of the Gupta family.

The meeting was held on April 13, while Mr Gordhan was in Washington for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual spring meetings. (Business Day).

-- An embattled President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to give the country's young democracy enough time to do its work, saying that a newborn does not become a full grown adult in one day.

Speaking to thousands of people at the Freedom Day celebration in Giyani, Limpopo, Zuma used the event to cosy up to supporters ahead of what may be the most hotly-contested elections since 1994. (City Press)

-- President Jacob Zuma has accused political parties of abusing their political rights, saying they were creating divisions among South Africans.

During his Freedom Day address at Giyani Stadium, Zuma told thousands of people that politicians were dividing communities for their own gains. (Mail & Guardian). Endit