Jacob Zuma
(Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma)
aka Mosholozi' - his praise name
"Why should anybody write about me? I'm not an important person. I'm not from a politically famous or royal family. I'm not an influential business man. I'm just an ordinary person." Jacob Zuma in resonse to Jeremy Gordin expressing surprise that nobody has written about him. |
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Hilary Squires |
“The only question in that trial was Shaik’s own state of mind when he made the admitted payments to, or on behalf of, Jacob Zuma. Namely, whether by doing so, he intended to influence the recipient in the exercise of his official duties. Jacob Zuma’s state of mind when he received these benefits was never an issue, nor was any finding made about it.” |
Jacob Zuma |
“I will never lead a breakaway. That is not me. Prophets of doom like to predict a split in the ANC and the alliance but they don’t understand that there is no threat of this.” |
Jacob Zuma |
"You could say I have a passion for the poor. To be frank, I'm not happy that after more than 10 years in power so many of our people are still living in shacks. And far more needs to be done to help poor rural people." Zuma in an interview with RW Johnson. |
Jacob Zuma |
"They have always argued for those things but that is not ANC policy. I am happy with ANC policy as it is. I shall try very hard to resist such pressure...I don't want to say anything which might seem critical of government policy. That would be seen as disloyal and in the ANC you have no future, if you're disloyal." Zuma (in an interview with RW Johnson) on the fact that his chief supporters - the SACP and Cosatu - favour sweeping nationalisation of all major industries. |
Jacob Zuma |
"Honesty is always the best policy. I don't feel comfortable if I'm not honest. There are plenty of politicians who have mistresses and children that they hide so as to pretend they're monogamous. I prefer to be open. I love my wives and I'm proud of my children." Zuma in an interview with RW Johnson |
Jacob Zuma |
"It was crazy: the arms deal was signed by the national government at a time when I was a provincial minister in KwaZulu-Natal. I had absolutely nothing to do with it...It was the same with the rape case. Remember, I was ANC chief of intelligence. I know that there were celebrations in certain quarters when that young woman agreed to lay charges against me. She was clearly sent to me for that purpose. As soon as I heard she was laying charges I knew there had to be a plot. I felt very betrayed. I should have realised it before. It's so obvious, really, a young woman wearing very little comes and sits down on your bed and asks to get under the blanket with you ... But I am confident that the truth about that case will come out in time...Most of my problems come from media manipulation. It's clear that many people, including some journalists, had an interest in my being found guilty of rape. When I was found innocent they concentrated on the fact that I'd had sex without a condom and that I'd taken a shower after sex. I had to go into the minutest details." Zuma in an interview with RW Johnson |
Jacob Zuma |
"I start from basic Christian principles. Christianity is part of what I am; in a way it was the foundation for all my political beliefs...My father died when I was young, my mother had to seek work as a domestic, and there was no chance of my getting educated. I wanted to be a teacher, a priest or a lawyer but all I could do was to try to get other children to show me what they learnt at school. From that and with my stepmother's help I learnt to read and write Zulu." Zuma in an interview with RW Johnson |
RW Johnson |
"His popularity among ANC activists stems in good part from his easy human rapport: he is always in huge demand to sing at funerals and weddings, and performs with gusto." RW Johnson writing for the London Sunday Times. |
RW Johnson |
"The notion that the country could soon be ruled by an uneducated Zulu whose strongest supporters, the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions, make no secret of their wish to nationalise the banks, the mines and other major industries, has scared business rigid." RW Johnson writing for the London Sunday Times. |
Phumlani Mfeka |
"The construct of 'races' is false but created by the whites who are nothing but melanin-deficient albino mutants with recessive genes." Phumlani Mfeka, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Jacques Sotero Agboton |
"Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela sold us out, he gave the country into Mbeki's hands knowing very well that he was not competent. Goven Mbeki warned that his son was not capable but he persisted." Jacques Sotero Agboton, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Majozi |
"Comrades, stop wasting your time with predatory minorities like gays, academics, editors and feminists(POWA). They have no real constituency but very powerful networks. I am sure Gays will tell you how they gallantly fought to release Mandela. It is the nature of these predatory minorities to latch on to the selfless struggles of the ordinary majority, the same applies to the press about press freedom. Press freedom was handed to them by the masses who they despise today. That's the nature of this powerful network...If you don't like gays that's it, there are serious rumours about some of ANC leaders sexual leanings, especially those in Business." Majozi, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Emmanuel Onyeari |
I do not expect Zuma to render apology at every little thing. There was no need for him to apologise to gay people. We all know that Gay is un African and there is nothing wrong in making people realise that. Apologising this way presents one as not having a back bone. Emmanuel Onyeari, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Welcome |
"I personally hate lesbians and gays, and anyone who has a problem with that can ask me to apologise and I will tell them to go to hell... There is nothing wrong with what Zuma said, I would also knock out an UNGQINGQILI if he were to stand in front of me." Welcome, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Zolani EC |
"I think it's against chritianity to be a gay and secondly it is not african. How do you get a biological baby if one man get married to another man? As much as i respect freedom of choice but sometimes we need to have limitations for the sake of our future. Cde's i know this is a sensitive topic as some man are very much in love with their men, but for me this practice is not acceptable." Zolani EC, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Jacques Agboton |
"Why should Africans accept the diktat of men who wallow in the excrement of other men...Africa will not wallow in the depravity of homosexuals, and Mr. Jacob Zuma is right to condemn homosexuality in South Africa" Jacques Sotero Agboton, Friends of Jacob Zuma website |
Fikile Mbalula |
"If it is true that he has articulated what we have come to read about, it is his own articulation and not the ANC position and we stand by the ANC position, (which is) non-sexism, non-discrimination and equality. Gay rights are human rights and that is what makes our constitution the most progressive in the world. Policies of the ANC are not made by individuals, they are made by the organisation and no individual can change ANC positions. Zuma's position is his own position, it's not an ANC position. It is very unfortunate (for someone as senior as him) in our organisation to have made such a particular statement. But it is his position and not our position." ANC Youth League President Fikile Mbalula |
Jacob Zuma |
"I said the communal upbringing of children in the past was able to assist parents to notice children with a different social orientation. I however did not intend to have this interpreted as a condemnation of gays and lesbians. The constitution clearly stated that nobody should be discriminated against on any grounds, including sexual orientation, and he upheld and abided by the constitution, Zuma said. Our lesbian and gay compatriots are protected by the constitution and I respect their rights, in my capacity as an individual citizen and as a member and one of the leaders of the ANC. I apologise unreservedly. I also respect, acknowledge and applaud the sterling contribution of many gay and lesbian compatriots in the struggle that brought about our freedom, and the role they continue to play in the building of a successful non-racial, non-discriminatory South Africa. I apologise unreservedly for the pain and anger that my remarks may have caused." |
GLC |
"Such homophobic comments display his ignorance of lesbian and gay identities and our nation's diversities. How can a narrow-minded person like this be expected to lead our nation? It seems Zuma still has a lot to learn about leadership. A true leader leads with intellect and wisdom, not popularity and favour", joint working group of the GLC. |
Fikile Mbalula |
"If it is true that he has articulated what we have come to read about, it is his own articulation and not the ANC position and we stand by the ANC position, (which is) non-sexism, non-discrimination and equality. Gay rights are human rights and that is what makes our constitution the most progressive in the world...It is very unfortunate (for someone as senior as him) in our organisation to have made such a particular statement. But it is his position and not our position." ANC Youth League President Fikile Mbalula |
Donna Smith |
"I wonder how many African lesbians were raped between the time he had made that remark and today. We cannot support such a man for the country's presidency at a time when Africa is looking towards South Africa for leadership, and as a voice for the underprivileged and oppressed communities in the continent." Donna Smith, of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) providing a support network for black lesbians. |
Jacob Zuma |
"Same sex marriage is a disgrace to the nation and to God. When I was growing up, unqingili ['homosexuals' in the Zulu language] could not stand in front of me. I would knock him out. " |
Hogarth |
"Jacob Zuma has quite rightly asked for an apology from journalists and legal experts following his court victory this week. Hogarth's apology follows: Hogarth has incorrectly suggested that Jacob Zuma is a blood-sucking, misogynistic, corrupt, shameless nincompoop who is gormlessly seeking power at the expense of the nation's image. Zuma is, in fact, not shameless. Hogarth regrets the error." Hogarth, Sunday Times. |
Ngoako Ramatlhodi |
"What s**t is this? People are being charged for nothing, look at Tony Yengeni, Zuma and Pat Matosa." former Limpopo premier, Ngoako Ramatlhodi |
Jacob Zuma |
"It's unfortunate that, despite my readiness to defend myself and clear my name, the NPA failed to present its case when called upon to do so." |
Jacob Zuma |
"I am not in a race to become president of the country. The ANC members will nominate people they want to become president. It is only when they nominate me that I will respond". |
Tim du Plessis |
"It is not only the whites who are scared. A black colleague says that if Zuma becomes president, he will emigrate to Australia. Yes, it's as bad as that." Rapport editor Tim du Plessis |
Makhosini Nkosi |
"The NPA is obviously disappointed with this decision but ... it does not detract from the strength of the state's case or the ability of the NPA to bring the matter to trial when the various issues delaying the trial have been resolved". National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi |
Bantu Holomisa |
"It looks like Zuma is back to square one, with the cloud still hanging over his head. The judge has not done Zuma any favours" - United Democratic leader Bantu Holomisa. |
Sheila Camerer |
"Judge Herbert Msimang's decision today that the Jacob Zuma corruption case could be struck from the roll is not the end for the corruption case; it is a temporary reprieve rather than absolution." DA's justice spokeswoman Sheila Camerer |
Zwelinzima Vavi |
"There is a difference between rumour mongering and actual justice in a court of law... For today justice prevails" Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi |
Jacob Zuma |
"I did say from the outset that I am innocent, I am still saying I am innocent. I will repeat it tomorrow. I can say anything I like because there is no sub judice now." Jacob Zuma |
Jacob Zuma |
"The Judge said those who were prosecuting me were taking chances and he said he would not allow that to happen as Zuma also enjoys constitutional protection." Jacob Zuma to loud applause outside the court. |
Herbert Msimang |
"Please go outside. That is where people can do as they please, not inside (the court)." Judge Herbert Msimang appealing to Zuma's supporters to celebrate outside the courtroom. |
Jacob Zuma |
"Cosatu therefore remains in this Alliance, safe in the knowledge that the ANC will never turn against worker interests." Jacob Zuma adressing the 9th Cosatu Congress |
Jacob Zuma |
"as ANC we undertook to conduct research into the full impact of casualisation of labour and outsourcing, and devise ways of dealing with their negative impact on workers and the economy as a whole. Surely, it should be possible to find a solution that extends to workers, the dignity and rights they deserve." Jacob Zuma adressing the 9th Cosatu Congress |
Jacob Zuma |
"I must emphasise that no individual in the ANC develops his or her own policies on any issue of national importance. These policies are crafted, adopted and implemented collectively by the movement as a whole, in line with our history and traditions. We remain committed to the undertakings we made in our 2004 Election Manifesto and this year's January 8 th statement." Jacob Zuma adressing the 9th Cosatu Congress |
Desmond Tutu |
"It is high time our president was elected directly by the people." Archbishop Desmond Tutu |
Desmond Tutu |
"I for one would not be able to hold my head high if a person with such supporters were to become my president, someone who did not think it necessary to apologise for engaging in casual sex without taking proper precautions in a country that is being devastated by this horrendous HIV/AIDS pandemic," Archbishop Desmond Tutu |
Desmond Tutu |
"I pray that someone will be able to counsel him that the most dignified, most selfless thing, the best thing he could do for a land he loves deeply is to declare his decision not to take further part in the succession race of his party" Archbishop Desmond Tutu |
Bulelani Ngcuka |
"The news that the investigation team had uncovered evidence implicating the deputy president in corruption came as an unpleasant revelation to me. The decisions which I was subsequently forced to make were difficult, unpleasant and taken at great personal cost to myself and my family." |
Jacob Zuma |
"I was branded a crook who had covered his tracks well. I was banished to political purgatory." -- Zuma, describing in court papers the effect of the 2003 announcement that though the State had prima facie evidence of corruption against him, he would not be prosecuted because the case was not winnable. |
Max du Preez |
"We don't know what kind of president Zuma will be. FW de Klerk was known as a conservative ethnic nationalist before 1989, and yet he took the bold steps that led to our democracy. Thabo Mbeki was known as a charming, engaging, confident leader before 1999, and yet he became an aloof, insecure president. " Max du Preez writing for The Star newspaper. |
Max du Preez |
"In my book Zuma deserves more credit than any other individual for helping to end the bloody conflict in KwaZulu Natal in the years after 1990. That was a prerequisite for a successful election in 1994." Max du Preez writing for The Star newspaper. |
Max du Preez |
"Zuma is 64 years old and, as we know from evidence led at his recent trial, in exceedingly good health. His father died when he was very young and his mother became a domestic worker in Durban. He had to find odd jobs around the suburbs to survive, which means he could not afford to go to school. He joined the ANC as a teenager and its guerrilla army when he was only 20. He was in jail on Robben Island between the ages of 21 and 31 and left the country in 1975. Within 2 years he was elected to the ANC's National Executive Council and became its chief of intelligence a few years before the unbanning in 1990. Not bad for an uneducated country boy." Max du Preez writing for The Star newspaper. |
Max du Preez |
"There seems to be a consensus forming among those who call themselves political observers: if the state failed to prove beyond doubt that Zuma asked for and received bribes in return for political influence regarding the arms deal, nothing will stop him from becoming South Africa's next president." Max du Preez writing for The Star newspaper. |
William |
"One can be a philandering ignorant politician who preys on the young daughter of one's battle comrades; one can be labelled by a judge as 'generally corrupt' and face fraud and corruption charges; one can tacitly tolerate the physical and verbal abuse of women by one's supporters; one can head a national HIV/AIDS body while believing that a shower will prevent the disease - all this, and one can still imagine that one remains a suitable canditate to be the next president." William |
Jacob Zuma |
"As I testified in court, under oath, I am HIV-negative, having undergone an HIV test in March this year. I wish to state categorically and place on record that I erred in having unprotected sex. I should have known better and I should have acted with greater caution and responsibility." Jacob Zuma |
Willem van der Merwe |
"It is totally unacceptable that a man should have unprotected sex with a person other than his regular partner and definitely not with a person who, to his knowledge, is HIV-positive," Judge Willem van der Merwe in the rape trial of former deputy-president Jacob Zuma |
Jacob Zuma |
“She normally came to me wearing pants, but on that day she had on a skirt and she was sitting in a way that was not usual. Under normal circumstances, if a woman is dressed in a skirt, she will sit properly with her legs together. But she [the rape complainant] crossed her legs and wouldn’t even mind if the skirt was raised very much,” ex-deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, testifying why he got the impression that the rape complainant had a sexual interest in him. |
Jacob Zuma |
“I had prior knowledge of the risk involved from the work I did with the South African National Aids Council. I knew the risk was minimal,” ex-deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, on why he took such an “irreversible risk of having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person without a condom”. |
Jacob Zuma |
“It [a shower] ... would minimise the risk of contracting the disease,” ex-deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, on what he did after having sex with the rape complainant. |
Jacob Zuma |
“I was taught that leaving a woman in that state [sexually aroused] was the worst thing a [Zulu] man can do. She could even have you arrested and charged with rape,” said ex-deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, adding this was done in accordance with what he had been taught as a youngster growing up in Nkandla, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. |
Jacob Zuma |
“I accept that the learned [De Beer] might not know Zulu custom and traditions and it happens in our custom, even if you don’t know a girl she can be dropped off at your home and you have to pay lobolo for her. You just have to do that without asking questions,” said ex-deputy President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, in response to De Beer’s question on how he could have paid lobolo to somebody he was not in love with. |
Farrel Lifson |
"Our man Jacob Zuma has three wives, except that officially polygamy is illegal in South Africa. Now the two wives who are "unofficial" traditional wives can expect little protection from the law should Zuma ever decide to "divorce" them." |
Jacob Zuma |
"For a period of five years my person has been subjected to all types of allegations and innuendo, paraded through the media and other corridors of influence without these allegations having being tested. I have thereby been denied my constitutional right to reply and defend myself.” |
August 2003 |
Bulelani Ngcuka, the publib prosecutor, says that there exists a "prima facie" case of corruption against deputy-president Jacob Zuma, but that he will not be prosecuted because the directorate was "not sure if we had a winnable case". |
2001 |
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Medical University of Southern Africa. |
2001 |
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Administration from the University of Zululand. |
2001 |
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Literature from the University of Fort Hare. |
19 January 2001 |
"The investigation you seek is tantamount to a fishing expedition to find the corruption and dishonesty you assume must have occurred." |
8 Dec 2000 |
Kate Mantsho Zuma, Jacob Zuma's 3rd wife, commits suicide. Kate gave the Reverend Frank Chikane a note which about barred Zuma from her funeral: "Strictly my dear children, my maternal family to attend. From the Zumas only Bro Mike and all the Mzobe family." |
17 June 1999 |
Zuma is appointed Deputy President of South Africa to Thabo Mbeki. |
Oct 1998 |
Zuma is presented with Nelson Mandela Award for Outstanding Leadership in Washington DC, USA. |
Jun 1998 |
Due to "irreconcilable differences", Jacob & Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma get divorced. |
December 1997 |
At the ANC's National Conference in Mafikeng, Zuma is elected Deputy President of the ANC. |
1996 |
Zuma is re-elected as chairperson of the ANC in KZN. |
December 1994 |
Zuma is elected National Chairperson of the ANC and chairperson of the ANC in KZN. He was re-elected to the latter position in 1996. |
1994 |
Zuma was largely responsible for making peace with Mangosuthu Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party. |
1994 |
Zuma is nominated as the ANC candidate for the premiership of KwaZulu-Natal. |
1991 |
Zuma is elected Deputy Secretary General of the ANC, at the first ANC National Conference held in South Africa after the unbanning of the organisation. |
1990 |
"Part of the reason I talk about my self-education more these days, is that I am trying to encourage those whose circumstances also did not allow them to go to school. If you are determined to educate yourself, it is possible - I've done it. People without formal education are looked down upon and feel shy. But I am one of the few exceptions. I have done everything the educated have done. Education is education, whether it is formal or not. I want to use my example as an inspiration to those who do not have the opportunity to go to school. Without education one is like a warrior without weapons. you can't fight the battle to survive in life. You can't defeat things. You get defeated all the time. Once you have an education you remove those obstacles." Jacob Zuma in an interview with the Helen Suzman Foundation. |
1990 |
Zuma is elected Chairperson of the Southern Natal region at the first Regional Congress of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, and took a leading role in fighting violence in the region. |
1988 |
David Mabatha, an elderly ANC member and father of 9 children, is detained on arrival in Zambia on the authority of Zuma. Mabatha is held for 10 months in Quatro and when in Lusaka was beaten repeatedly on his bare feet. The Motsuenyane Commission censured Zuma for failing to properly supervise the investigation into David Mabatha. |
1987 |
Zuma is appointed Head of Underground Structures and shortly thereafter, Chief of the Intelligence Department at the ANC Head Office in Lusaka, Zambia. |
January 1987 |
Zuma is forced to leave Mozambique, after PW Botha placed considerable pressure on its government, and moves to Lusaka. |
1980s |
Zuma marries Nkosazan Dlamini, with whom he would have 4 children. |
1984 |
Zuma is appointed Chief Representative of the ANC in Mozambique |
1977 |
Zuma has a liason with Minah Shongwe, and they have a son Edward. |
ANC Exco |
Zuma becomes part of the ANC National Executive Committee |
1976 |
Zuma marries Kate Mantsho, with whom he would have 5 children. |
Apr 1976 |
Zuma is deported to Mozambique, along with Thabo Mbeki. |
Left SA |
He left South Africa first for Swaziland and then Mozambique, and for the next 12 years, dealt with thousands of young exiles who poured out of South Africa in the wake of the Soweto uprising. |
1975 |
Zuma marries Sizakele Gertrude Khumalo (MaKhumalo), a childhood sweetheart he had met in 1959. |
Robben Island |
Zuma's prisoner record on Robben Island reads as follows: "Prisoner 1/5268; name: Gedleyihlekisa Zuma; address: c/o Betty Zuma, b363, Cato Manor, Durban; date admitted: 63.12.30; date released: 73.12.29." Throughout his 10 years at Robben Island Zuma did not receive a single visitor, which he explains as follows: At the end of his sentence, Zuma was trucked to Pietermartizburg, where he was kept in a police cell for two weeks. On the day of his release two policemen (one indian, one white) drove Zuma from Pietermaritzburg to Nkandla. |
Sentenced |
After a trial in Pretoria Old Synagogue under Judge Fritz Steyn, Zuma is convicted of conspiring to overthrow the government and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, which he served on Robben Island. |
Arrested |
While leaving South Africa, Zuma is arrested with a group of 45 recruits in the Groot Marico area near Zeerust in what was then the western Transvaal (now the North-West Province). The group had been planning on crossing the border into Botswana (Bechuanaland) and go to Zambia via Lobatse - they hoped to receive military training in Zambia. Zuma spent ninety days at Hercules Police Station, mostly in solitary confinement, which he described as being tougher than Robben Island: "I remember being called out of my cell at some point for interrogation. There was something wrong with my eyes; I couldn't focus them; it was strange. I think it was about sitting in that cell in the darkness, doing nothing but thinking, for weeks." |
"They nabbed us with ease because they knew about us. Two of our so-called leaders had sold us out. Besides that, serious torture by the police was relatively new then, people weren't prepared for it, it was savage, and many of the people in the group also gave away the game. In short, the police didn't need anything from me. They had the case sewn up. They beat us a little. I suppose they did so because that is what they did. But after that they mostly left me alone." Jacob Zuma, as quoted in Jeremy Gordin's "Zuma". |
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Umkhonto We Sizwe 1962 |
Zuma joins Umkhonto We Sizwe, the armed hand of the ANC. |
ANC banned |
Shortly after Zuma had joined the ANC, it became banned in 1960. |
1959 |
Zuma joins the ANC. |
1959 |
Jacob Zuma meets Sizakele Khumalo, later to become his first wife. |
"He (Jacob Zuma's father's eldest son, Muthukabongwa Zuma) had fought in the Second World War and he was a member of the ANC and he was a trade unionist. He preached endlessly about colonial oppression and the working class, and had an enormous influence on me. Thirdly (sic), in the Cato Manor township, and in Greyville when I used to stay with my cousin, I used to see the ANC volunteers in their uniforms, and I used to go to ANC public meetings, and I listened and I learned. I used to visit my mother in Durban a lot, especially in winter, when there wasn't so much work in Nkandla. But in those days it was not so much apartheid per se that worked on my mind - it was the overall and unrelenting oppression that Africans had faced." Jacob Zuma, as quoted in Jeremy Gordin's biography of Jacob Zuma. |
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"I once went into a cafe in Umgeni Road. I used to wander around in those days in my bare feet. There was a particular sweet that I liked. And it was there on the counter so I picked it up. But the owner thought I was taking it away from the white boy who was in front of me - or maybe he thought I was stealing it, I don't know. He gave me such a klap that I was reeling. I was so angry that I cried and cried. And I thought, 'One day I'll fix him'. But you know, I came to understand that this attitude was not part of the general oppression. It was just one man's stupidity. And so, no, I am not bitter or biased. That stuff is just too petty for words. It's just not my way." Jacob Zuma, as quoted in Jeremy Gordin's biography of Jacob Zuma. |
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"He was a hero amongst his stick-fighting peers because he used to beat the hell out of them. He had good tactics. Everybody among his peers respected him for that. " Mncikiselwa Shozi, as quoted in the Sunday Times |
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Education |
There was little chance for young Jacob to get a formal education. With his stepmother's help (and KwaMaphumulohelp from his friends who went to school), he learnt to read and write Zulu. During his 10-year stint on Robben Island, he learnt to read and write English. |
"I was supposed to start school there (), I was about 7 or 8 years old, but my grandfather, whose herdboy had gone off somewhere, asked that I take care of the cattle. He was supposed to find another herdboy, but he never did. So, although I was supposed to go to school, I never did. That was it. Later, my mother came to take me back to Nkandla - the family asked us to return - but there was no school in Nkandla. I was told to tend to the cattle and goats. And my mother went off to work as a domestic servant in the Durban area." Jacob Zuma, as quoted in Jeremy Gordin's biography of Jacob Zuma. |
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1946 |
Nobhekisisa Zuma dies at the end of World War II, and his mother returns with her children to KwaMaphumulo where her parents stayed. |
"When I was a young boy, there were 2 very old people in the village. One came from the Ndlovu clan, another from the Bhengu, and they had been in their teens when the Bhambatha Rebellion ended. They used to tell us of their experiences. And that, more than anything else, is what made me appreciate the sufferings of Africans. It was then, for the first time, when I was little, that I came to understand and to be angry about colonial oppression." Jacob Zuma, as quoted in Jeremy Gordin's biography of Jacob Zuma. |
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12 April 1942 |
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is born in rural Inkandla (in the KwaZulu-Natal Province), the first son of Nobhekisisa Zuma (a policeman) and his 2nd wife, Geinamazwi (they would go on to have two more sons). Nobhekisisa and his first wife had 4 daughters and 3 sons. |
Other interesting links
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Nelson Mandela |
Desmond Tutu |
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PW Botha |
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Thabo Mbeki |
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Jacob Zuma spam letter |
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Hilary Squires judgementMbeki firing Zuma |
Books about Jacob Zuma
"Bring me my machine gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa. From Mandela to Zuma" by Alec Russell |
"Zuma" by Jeremy Gordin |
Links
References
27 Sep 2006 |
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26 August 2006 |
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25 August 2006 |
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December 2005 |
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19 January 2001 |