Jacob Zuma is a South African politician born on 12 April 1942. He served as President of South Africa between 2009 and 2018, when he had to resign.
He served as vice-president and deputy president of South Africa, as well as vice-president and deputy president of the Africa National Congress
Jacob Zuma Age
Former president, born in 1942, was born April 12th, 1942, at NKandla KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. In 2023, he will be 82 and will celebrate his birthday every year on April 12.
Jacob Zuma Parents
Geinamazwi and Nobhekisisa Bessie were his parents. He was born to Geinamazwi Zuma and Nobhekisisa Bessie. His father, whose profession was policeman, died during World War II at the age of five. After the death of their father, he and his mother moved to Maphumulo. His mother was forced to work as a domestic worker to support them.
Education
Zuma had no formal education. As a young child, he worked in various jobs to support his family and was unable to attend school.
He taught himself to read and write. Jacob Zuma speaks fluent Swahili and Russian, as well as Zulu, French Xhosa. He has also received Soviet Union training.
Jacob Zuma Wives
Jacob Zuma, a polygamist Zulu, has been married seven times. He married his first spouse Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo in 1973. They have no children.
In June 1998, he married Nkosazana Zuma. Kate Mantsho, his third wife was originally from Mozambique. She committed suicide in December 2000. Her remains are buried at Westpark Cemetery, Johannesburg in Heroes’ Acre. Zuma was married to her and had five children.
In January 2008 he married Nompumelelo Ntuli (MaNtuli). Two later later, he married Thobeka Stacie Madiba. He married Gloria Bongekile Ngema on April 20th 2012. On October 2018, he married his seventh wife Nonkanyiso Conco.
Zuma is known to have been married many times, including:
- Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo (1973)
- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (divorced 1998)
- Kate Mantsho
- Nompumelelo Ntuli (2008)
- Thobeka Stacie Madiba (2010)
- Gloria Bongekile Ngema (2012)
- Nonkanyiso Conco (2018)
Jacob Zuma Children
Zuma is the father of 23 children between his six wives. Some of them include;
Mziwoxolo Edward ZumaMxolisi (Saady) Zuma
Msholozi Zuma
Duduzane Zuma
Duduzile Zuma
Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube
Nokuthula Nomaqhawe Zuma
Thuthukile (Thuthu) Xolile Nomonde Zuma
Phumzile Zuma
Nhlakanipho Vusi Zuma
Jacob Zuma Career
Jacob Zuma’s Political Career
He joined the African National Congress at age 17 to begin his political career.
1962: He joined Umkhonto we Sizwe (the armed wing) of the ANC.
Zuma joins the South African Communist Party in 1963, allowing him to receive Soviet training. Together with 45 other ANC members, he was imprisoned on Robben Island for 10 years. He was found guilty of conspiring to topple the Apartheid regime.
1977: He was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee. He also served as the ANC’s Deputy Chief Rep in Mozambique.
Jacob Zuma became Chief Representative of ANC in 1984 after Mozambican & South African governments signed Nkomati Accord
Zuma moved to Lusaka, Zambia in 1987. He was named Head of Underground Structures.
1990: He returned to South Africa after the ban was lifted on the ANC and was elected Chairman of the ANC in the Southern Natal Region.
1991: He was appointed Deputy Secretary General of the ANC.
1994: He was named as the ANC’s candidate for the premiership of KwaZulu Natal. Zuma became a Member of the Executive Council for Economic Affairs and Tourism when Nelson Mandela won the presidency of KwaZulu-Natal, his home province.
In December, he was elected as National Chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson for the ANC.
1997: He was appointed Deputy President of ANC.
1999: He was named executive deputy president of South Africa.
Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa in 2005, removed Zuma as Vice President after allegations of fraud and corruption relating to the 5-billion-dollar weapons deal signed by the South African Government in 1999.
Zuma won the 2007 election for President of the ANC by 2,329 votes to Mbeki’s 1,505.
Zuma became the President of South Africa in 2009 on May 9.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the successor to Zuma as the President of the ANC was elected at the ANC Conference in Nasrec. Johannesburg.
2018: Zuma announced on 14 February 2018, his resignation. Ramaphosa was appointed the following day.
Jacob Zuma Awards & Recognitions
Award-Winning Businesses
The Medical University of South Africa awarded the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award in Washington, D.C.
Jacob Zuma received the honorary title of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath during a 2010 visit to the United Kingdom.
Imo Merit Award is the highest award given in Imo State, Nigeria to those who have contributed to the development of the community. (15 October 2017).
Honorary Degrees
University of Zululand, 2001. Honorary doctor of administration.
University of Fort Hare, 2001 Honorary Doctor of Letters/Literature
Medical University of Southern Africa, 2001 Honorary Doctor of Philosophies
University of Zambia Great East Campus (UNZA), Honorary Doctor of law (2009)
Peking University 2012 Honorary Professor of international Relations
Ascend the ANC Ranks
Allegations & Controversies
Jacob Zuma’s presidency was plagued by corruption allegations. This had a major impact on his legacy.
- Arms Deal Scandal Zuma’s involvement in a multibillion dollar arms scandal in the 1990s that involved corrupt practices and kickbacks.
- Nkandla residence – There are allegations that public funds were used to upgrade the private residence of Mr. Nkandla. About $23million is involved.
- Capture of State The Guptas and close associates of Zuma were accused by many to have widespread state capture. This led to a national outcry and several judicial inquiries.
- Zuma dismisses Finance ministers Zuma’s sudden dismissal has led to concerns of political instability.
- Incarceration Zuma received a sentence for contempt when he refused to attend an investigation into corruption in state government.
Zuma’s legacy has been heavily tarnished by these controversies, which have also fueled discussions about accountability and governance.
Jacob Zuma Net Worth
Zuma’s net worth is $20 million. He earned $270,000 a year as president and is active in many economic sectors. Zuma has invested in many businesses including a real estate portfolio, a restaurant named Fat Zuma Burgers and a football team called Nkandlas Angels. He also owns a perfume and vodka brand as well as fashion label.
Jacob Zuma’s influence on South African politics
Jacob Zuma’s presidency in South Africa reshaped the political landscape of South Africa in a major way. These issues included corruption, erosion of public trust, and governance.
During the tenure of his leadership:
- Despite increasing criticism and factionalism, the ANC maintained its dominant position within South African politics.
- Zuma’s government prioritized rural development and infrastructure projects.
- Major events like the death of Nelson Mandela and the Marikana Massacre have profoundly affected South Africa’s political landscape.
Zuma’s influence continued after he left the office, particularly within certain ANC groupings, influencing South Africa’s politics and the direction of his party.