The Jacob Zuma Controversy
de Ann on Feb.10, 2010, în timpul poligamia în mass-media
Nairobi — South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has been in the news lately for many wrong reasons. JZ, as he is popularly known, is reported to have sired a love child with a divorcee.
What is seen as a breach of family trust has raised questions about Zuma’s personal judgement and whether he has the mettle to lead South Africa.
It has reignited attention to an embarrassing rape trial a few years ago in which he was accused of having non-consensual and unprotected sex with an HIV-positive family friend.
Many read political motive in those charges and Zuma was eventually cleared. But the trial embarrassed the man who, as vice-president, led the country’s moral regeneration movement initiated by former president Thabo Mbeki.
Zuma’s capacity to walk the talk on moral and ethical issues came into question and the latest incident shows that these remain valid and disturbing questions.
It is unclear what impact this has on Zuma’s standing amongst his majority black supporters in South Africa. Dar, going by the massive support he maintained throughout his rape and earlier corruption trials, it seems the black majority, who form the bastion of his support, are least bothered about his personal indiscretions.
JZ is a popular and highly accomplished political mobiliser who weathered what was widely seen as a carefully choreographed scheme to block him from ascending to high office following the conviction of his private financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, for corruption which forced his resignation as vice- president.
Justice Hilary Squire who presided over Shaik’s trial found that Zuma had a “generally corrupt” relationship with a fraudster who had bankrolled him in return for political favours which translated into lucrative government contracts.
As expected, Justice Squire’s ruling generated a great deal of hair splitting but Mbeki would have none of it. In his words, “the judgment (contained) some categorical outcomes which raised questions of conduct that would be inconsistent with expectations that attend to those who hold public office”.
A leitmotif of those who rallied to Zuma’s defence was to cast him as a victim of political machinations aimed at frustrating his political career. An underlying but barely subliminal line was to hack to a conspiracy theory of the Xhosa (represented by Mbeki) fighting a potential Zulu presidency.
These issues obscured the serious questions on integrity by a man aspiring for high office.
Zuma was, desigur, eventually cleared of the corruption charges paving way for nomination by the African National Congress (ANC) to vie for the presidency.
The acquittal is seen as an act of deft political strategy notwithstanding the fact that the National Prosecution Authority was unable to sustain a conviction which entitles Zuma to the presumption of innocence.
Going by the notoriety of the past, it is almost certain that we have not had the last from Zuma’s rich cocktail of controversy. It begs the question whether a man prone to personal indiscretions can diligently execute his mandate and command respect on the world stage.
South Africa is not a nondescript republic. It is a regional leader whose economy is bigger than the combined GDP of the 14-member grouping of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
It has pioneered key blueprints like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) that was reconfigured at last week’s African Union heads of state summit in Addis Ababa. A key player in regional peace keeping initiatives in Burundi and DRC, it is among top contributors to the African Union budget.
The towering image of the iconic Nelson Mandela is a global signature for tolerance amongst different races and that one places special responsibility on the country’s leadership.
While it is difficult to fit Zuma within Madiba’s moral and ethical prism, he must safeguard his legacy and his country’s strategic importance in Africa and on the world stage.
It is within Zuma’s call to decide on personal matters like polygamy on which he has been candid and forthcoming. One cannot begrudge a man who opts to follow the dictates of his culture. Totuşi, personal indiscretions and a poor judgement should not be excused.
Simply put, Zuma’s conduct must befit the standing of his office and serve as a role model as the head of Africa’s signature republic. The choice is easy and obvious but one that calls for serious soul searching.
De credit pentru cele de mai sus: Gichinga Ndirangu, 6 Februarie 2010, opinion . Gichinga Ndirangu is a lawyer and policy analyst
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Ca Alaikum Salaamu!
Bine aţi venit la Poligamia 411! Casa noastră este pentru musulmani şi non-musulmani. Este pentru toata lumea care vrea să vorbească despre poligamie, sau cineva care este într-o căsătorie poligamă sau se intenţionează să intre un. Ne place având companie. Fă-te comod şi să se alăture în discuţie de către lăsând un comentariu. Aşteptăm cu nerăbdare să te văd aici, din nou în curând şi de multe ori.
călători 4 mai puţin!
February 9th, 2010 on 10:43 PM
Jacob Zuma already has three wives. Does polygamy curb a man’s appetite for women or does it add to his greed?
February 10th, 2010 on 8:57 PM
Hmmm, you know, I think it very much depends on the man. Some men would no more consider polygyny, whether their religion allowed it or not, than they would consider selling their daughters on streetcorners. Other men embrace any excuse to flit from female to female — and often refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions. Jacob Zuma, I believe, is the sort of man who would be unfaithful regardless of the religion he practiced and regardless of the permissibility or lack thereof, of multiple partners. Research indicates that men who are drawn to positions of power, particularly in the political arena, are more likely to be sexually indiscriminant as well. So I rather suspect in Zuma’s case, religion has little to do with it — it’s simply his nature. (I do rather believe he’s shown himself to be a man with questionable ethics, cu toate acestea, and the voters might want to consider if they want such a man leading them.)
February 10th, 2010 on 9:23 PM
Rebeckah, I agree with you whole heartedly on this one. I think you called Jacob Zuma right. What’s happening with him is not about religion. Some says it’s about culture. Nu ştiu. He’s got some serious issues, is all I can say right now.
Rebeckah, I’m going to have to get back to you on your last comment. I want to address it, but I’m running out of time. Alex is here and I’ve overspent time on the computer. I need to finish packing and get ready to leave for vacation around 5:30 a.m.
I’ve asked someone to moderate for me and I’m hoping my request comes to fuition.
Thank you for your anticipated understanding.
Aceasta este o casă deschisă. Nu este nevoie să bată. Doar vin pe la.
February 10th, 2010 on 11:58 PM
No problem at all, Home. Enjoy your vacation. Take me with you next time, eh? lol
February 11th, 2010 on 1:13 AM
You’re funny Rebeckah LOL. Ali told me to take the laptop with me, so I could check the blog. I-am spus, I’m not taking those people with me on vacation
Then I read your comment and just cracked up LOL. OK Rebeckah; this is it. I’ve checked this blog for the very last time. I’m shutting down for good till I get back. I’ll be with everyone in spirit. You’re all wonderful people. Over and Out!!!
Aceasta este o casă deschisă. Nu este nevoie să bată. Doar vin pe la.
February 12th, 2010 on 6:13 PM
Hi Everybody,
Just wanted to check in on everybody and say hi. You all feel like part of my family to me, so of course I couldn’t just turn off my mind to everyone.
Alex and I are having a really good time. Today I did a Zipline for the very first time. I was very fearful at first that the line would malfunction and I’d be dead, or the same would happen to Alex. I had to jump from ledges and slide down lines across rivers and the forest etc. Then I had to do the monkey walk, walking on logs and then across planks. After that excursion Alex and I went on the ATV (All terain vehicle) thru the jungle. He drove, desigur, I rode on the back. It was fun. We have a DVD of photos. Tomorrow were off on a speed boat to a semi-private island. I guess I’ll be swinging in a hammock or something.
Oricum, enough about me. Alex had to check in for business. We’re in the business center right now. We’re getting ready to head out for a walk on the beach. Alex will probably take a swim in the ocean and then we’ll have diner. I’ll end the evening with a cup of Magic Power Coffee and …LOL.
It appears the blog is malfunctioning again with the comment fields. I’ll try to fix a couple right now so some of you can communicate with each other, sperăm. I must run now. Talk with you soon
February 14th, 2010 on 9:14 PM
Hi again everyone,
I stopped in the business center again so I could say hi to all. Using the computer in here is like a race against time-30 minutes free, but connection is extremely slow. We’re still having a wonderful time. Today I had two hrs. of pampering-body scrub, 50 minutes massage, and a facial. Alex and I just got done with dinner in a Japanese restarant. I’m getting really good with the chop stix now. I think fear was preventing me from being able to master the art before. Fear is a XXXX- please use your imagination. We’ll be back late tomorrow evening, God willing.
I miss you all. Chat with you soon. I’ll have to get the blog back in order so you all could leave comments on all posts. It will take a while to fix it, but I’ll do it as quickly as possible. Hope all is good with you all too. Pace, love and happiness!
Home
February 14th, 2010 on 9:28 PM
Oh, I forgot to tell you. I woke up this morning from a dream around 1:00 a.m. I can’t recall what the dream was about. When I opened my eyes I saw a silhoutte of someone walking in front of the bed towards me. I SCREAMED at the top of my lungs and couldn’t stop screaming, tossing from side to side. Then I heard Alex say, “Home, it’s me.” Ce usurare. Being in a strange country, I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t even remember Alex was there. He was so terribly upset. He said he was glad he was coming from the bathroom or he thinks he would have peed himself. I can laugh about it now, but it was a freaky experience. Thought I’d share that with you
February 16th, 2010 on 12:06 PM
HI!
my comment, “who needs a man” was meant more of a joke to myself really. as i understand it there’s not going to be a man for each woman and if one day i don’t have a man i hope inshaa-Allah that i don’t became some other wife’s carol
lol, it emerged last week that jacob zuma has an illegitimate child..(his 20th child). child’s 2 years old i think.
but here in SA its more of a joke than anything else i mean really!!! after the rape trial, the numerous wives and mistresses and the children that always seem to be growing in number there’s nothing more J.Z. can do to shock you.
im glad you had a nice time on your vacation
im sure you “rocked his world” ^_^
salaam
February 16th, 2010 on 12:40 PM
Hi Zainab,
It’s good to hear from you. You’re the first person I’ve heard from since I’ve been back. I want to put up a new post, but I’m trying to fix the blog. While I was gone the boxes for comments went missing again from all the posts. Oh well, enough of the technical stuff.
You seem to be a very intelligent young lady and you’re approaching life from a good position. We should never make other people so important in our lives that they determines our happiness or self worth. So many people go through out life being unhappy, as they haven’t found the person of their dreams, which is exactly what it is – a person of their “DREAMS.” Relationships are hard work and usually very disappointing. The way relationships appear to others on the outside looking in usually is is far from the truth. Many people hide or cover the truth and only let people know what they want people to believe.
Your approach is very good, as it seems you are putting your faith and trust in Allah that He going to do what’s best for you and give you the best. I pray Allah is well pleased with you. I’m going to make mega duah for you that He gives you the best in this world and the best in the Hereafter. I’m curious to know; what’s the average age for young ladies like you to get married in South Africa?
The shock of all that’s been going on with J.Z is becoming common place to me right now. I don’t think anything else I hear would surprise me about him.
He’s got some major issues with women that far surpass anything that has to do with polygamy. It freaked me out when I read he had contact with a woman that was HIV positive. What’s up with that? It goes to show polygamy is no safe haven for anyone now a day. A lot of people have a huge interest in J.Z.; I can tell from the search engine results.
Bine, let me get back to fixing this blog, so I can talk more with everyone. I think I left Alex with some very happy memories…
Salaam!
February 18th, 2010 on 6:25 AM
Hello
mostly the ages are between 19 şi 23 but sometimes oonce in a blur moon you find them getting married at 15 la 17 but its not something i would want for me or my sisters
im sure they will eventually wake up one morning and realized that they invested a whole lot of time and effort in their marriage and family life that they didnt really try to make themselves better people and learn a new skill
i met a girl once who got married at 14 and a few weeks later she was pregnant ^_- … but its hard to answer your question because even here muslims are only muslims by name, they date and meet boyfriends and they know its wrong
i like to think though that it gives me a sort of 1up on them 
being so mature and all and aware.
i highly doubt any of my friends spend their time reading polygamy blogs!
February 18th, 2010 on 7:12 AM
Salaam Zainab,
Thank you much for answering the question. I see things aren’t much different in South Africa than in any other part of the world…bine, maybe a little
I think you have been given a lot more than most young ladies your age, especially wisdom, which is a wonderful gift from Allah.
I agree with you that education and skills are just important as marriage and family. I think they go hand in hand and compliment one another. Perhaps you’ll be the first female President of South Africa. How cool would that be…
I was wondering how you came about reading a polygamy blog. I just surmised you were probably reading about J.Z and stumbled upon it. Whatever reason, I’m glad you’re here. I feel like you’re my special little sister
Aceasta este o casă deschisă. Nu este nevoie să bată. Doar vin pe la.
February 18th, 2010 on 8:30 AM
lol Ana!.. the other day i was just sitting on my bed and i felt so awesome for commenting on this blog, i dont know why!
i actually was searching polygamy on the web and i stumbled here, i also found vena’s blog @ thoughts of a first wife.
Home, i was wondering what you though of Ted’s comment?
cant remember where he posted it under but i would like to know your opinion on it though
jazaakallah
salaam
February 18th, 2010 on 1:35 PM
Salaam Zainab,
Vena’s blog…I used to read her blog right after I began living polygamy and right before she stopped writing. How I wished she’d continue writing. I believe her blog was inspirational for me to begin mine. I’m wishing her all the best. She’s been through a lot and has come a long, long way. I pray Allah is well pleased with her.
Regarding Ted’s comment under:
http://polygamy411.com/2009/07/should-first-wife-help-husband-select-second-wife-polygamy/
I enjoyed reading Ted’s comment. There was so much beauty in his writing and it left me feeling really good and happy after I read it. I don’t think anything whatsoever that I read in his comment was contrary to Islam.
I understand the dilemma Ted finds himself in. He’s torn between what he believes, what he feels, and what this society dictates for him (monogamie). In a sense this society has put man (in this particular case, Ted) in an un-natural state by telling him that he can’t engage in polygamy and yet he has needs that need fulfilling. What is he left to do?…cheat on his wife or live a life of sadness and discontent and perhaps end up disliking his wife (misplaced anger and resentment) for having to remain only with her although he desires another, or must he choose and leave his wife when he still loves his wife dearly? I believe many men desire or have a need for more than one woman and Allah, who created man that way, has provided an avenue (poligamie) for man to fulfill this need or desire in a beautiful way.
I love the way Ted said, “Marrying another woman would not lessen, or weaken, my love for my current wife, but could in fact do just the opposite – increase and strengthen it…” I believe that is so true. If a woman accepts that her husband desires another woman (one of the most difficult, trying, painful thing that she can do) how could he not love and cherish her more? – That is beautiful and real. He already still loves her. His love hasn’t changed. How could he not love her more for putting her selfishness aside, wanting her husband to be happy and another woman to be happy, precum şi. Man doesn’t put love and affection in his own heart. Allah does.
I recommend everyone read Ted’s comment. It is awe inspiring. I say to Ted – go for it. Try to work it out with your wife and make sure she’s on board and can hang in there for the tough and rugged journey. I wish you the best.
Thank you for asking the question Zainab. I found much joy in reading Ted’s comment and commenting about it. I will post my comment over on the orignal post that Ted commented under, precum şi.
Aceasta este o casă deschisă. Nu este nevoie să bată. Doar vin pe la.
June 23rd, 2011 on 7:34 AM
Hi to Ana and everyone…could you also visit the Verse by Verse Bible Commentaries and read my posts in there…and comment there too…help me enlighten the Christian on Polygamy….thanks!