President Jacob Zuma's KwaZulu-Natal based education trust which has educated more than 20 000 orphans and vulnerable children will spread to other provinces.

"The trust has helped many poor children in KwaZulu-Natal. We want this to go to other provinces," Zuma told thousands of people at his annual Christmas party for vulnerable children in Nkandla on Tuesday.

He said the trust had already started helping in Limpopo and would soon start operating in the Eastern Cape and the North West.

Zuma, who founded the trust in 1995 when he was still KwaZulu-Natal MEC for economic development, said it would have more impact if it became national.

"We are doing this because we are very passionate about education. We appeal to businesses to help us achieve this goal."

A foundation would also soon be established to complement the work done by the trust.

"There are things that the trust cannot do like building homes for needy people. The foundation will help us to achieve that."

The party, dubbed "a mother" of all Christmas parties, was attended by political bigwigs including Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize, business people, celebrities and MECs from different provinces.

A number of local and national musical bands provided entertainment.

It was held in a big tent erected at the Mnyakanya High School sports ground, near Zuma's Nkandla homestead.

Zuma said he had formed the trust because he believed investing in education improved people's lives.

"Education empowers people, makes them creative and gives them confidence. Education also helps people from rural areas to improve their lives."

Zuma commended the trustees, saying they were handling the funds properly.

"The trust's books are audited every year and the auditors have never found any irregularity."

A number of business people present were commended for contributing to the trust.

When Zuma was fired as deputy president in June 2005, the trust experienced financial difficulties as some business people did not want to deal with Zuma. At the time he was facing corruption charges, which were withdrawn this year.

Speaking during the Christmas party organised by his trust in 2007, Zuma said businesses were not contributing as they used to, that not enough people donated gifts.

The situation was however different on Monday as plenty of gifts, including food, soccer balls and books, were handed to children.

The SA National Defence Force, of which Zuma is commander in chief, was there to promote careers in the military.

By 4pm people were still packed into the tent and being entertained.