Jacob Zuma is a former South African president who held office from 2009 to 2018. He was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and was the party’s president from 2007 to 2017. During his tenure, he was responsible for a number of controversial decisions and scandals, including corruption allegations. His career and legacy remain controversial, and his resignation in 2018 was seen as a necessary step to restore the public’s trust in the ANC.
Early Life and Education
Jacob Zuma was born on 12 April 1942 in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. He was the first of six children born to Geinamazwi Zuma and his second wife, Kedibone Motsweni. He grew up in a rural area and worked as a herdsboy in his youth.
Zuma was educated at various institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, including the Nkandla Primary School, the Impendle Primary School, and the St. James Missionary School. He then attended the Natal University College in Durban, where he studied economics and social anthropology.
Political Career
Jacob Zuma was an active member of the African National Congress (ANC) from a young age. He joined the party’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in 1961 and was arrested in 1963 for his involvement in the struggle against apartheid. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and served his sentence on Robben Island.
During the transition to democracy in South Africa in the early 1990s, Zuma was elected as a member of the Transitional Executive Council. In 1994, he became a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, and in 1999 he was appointed Deputy President of the ANC. He served in this position until 2005, when he was appointed Deputy President of South Africa.
In 2007, Zuma was elected President of the ANC and two years later he was elected President of South Africa. During his tenure, he implemented a number of policies to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans, such as the introduction of a national minimum wage and a social grants system.
Controversies
Jacob Zuma’s tenure as president was not without controversy. He was accused of misusing public funds to upgrade his private residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, and was also accused of failing to take action against government corruption. His close relationship with the Gupta family, who were accused of influencing government decisions, also caused controversy.
Scandals and Corruption
Jacob Zuma was implicated in several scandals during his presidency. In 2016, the South African public protector found that Zuma had breached the country’s constitution by allowing members of the Gupta family to influence government decisions. He was implicated in a corruption scandal involving the public funds used to upgrade his private residence in Nkandla.
In 2018, the South African Constitutional Court ruled that he had “failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution” by not taking action against government corruption. This ruling was seen as the final nail in the coffin for Zuma’s presidency.
Downfall and Resignation
Jacob Zuma’s tenure as president was marked by controversy and scandal, and in 2018 the ANC called for his resignation. On 14 February 2018, Zuma announced that he would be resigning as president, citing “differences in policy issues” as the reason for his decision. His resignation was seen as a necessary step to restore the public’s trust in the ANC.
Post-Presidency
Jacob Zuma has remained active in politics since his resignation in 2018. He has been a vocal supporter of the ANC and its policies, and has been a vocal critic of the current president, Cyril Ramaphosa. He has also appeared at several ANC electoral rallies in support of the party.
Conclusion
Jacob Zuma is a former South African president who held office from 2009 to 2018. He was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and was the party’s president from 2007 to 2017. During his tenure, he was responsible for a number of controversial decisions and scandals, including corruption allegations. His career and legacy remain controversial, and his resignation in 2018 was seen as a necessary step to restore the public’s trust in the ANC. Since his resignation, he has remained active in politics, supporting the ANC and its policies.
