Morality lessons from Jacob Zuma


Date: January 12, 2010
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Jacob Zuma has recently wed a third wife in the fifth wedding ceremony of his lifetime. (He and current Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma divorced in 1998 and Kate Mantsho Zuma committed suicide in 2000.) A fourth woman to join the presidential union is reportedly already waiting in line for upcoming nuptials. Meanwhile, some contend he is the father of babies aged under a year with both his last and most recent wife.

Some people argue a leader’s personal life is not a matter for public opinion. Yet, as the president of the country, his lifestyle is certainly on the nation’s agenda, just as Bill Clinton’s was to the Americans. Like it or not, the head of a nation serves as a moral compass for its citizens. Here are some of the morals our president is steering the country towards.

1. Unprotected sex has no consequences

His second current wife, Nompumelelo MaNtuli-Zuma whom he married in 2007, was reported to have children by Zuma before they formally married. The latest, Thobeka Madiba, already has two children by Jacob Zuma. This lifestyle suggests to South Africans that Jacob Zuma has a highly sexual lifestyle in between his marriages, one devoid of condoms. In a country ravaged by HIV and AIDS and unwanted pregnancies, how are young people supposed to believe Zuma when he preaches safe sex? Even worse, can one imagine JZ continuing the message of being faithful to one partner?

2. It’s my culture to disrespect women

Offensive as it may be to the culturally conscious, the majority of South Africans subscribe to a certain set of values. Many in the country view Jacob Zuma’s traditional and patriarchal lifestyle as an embodiment of moral bankruptcy. Of course, even those who disagree with Jacob Zuma are bound by our constitution, which accepts customary law, to tolerate his lifestyle. It is true that polygamy is not an African issue; it has been a universal tradition of many cultures. However, even those who uphold the right to enter into polygamous marriages should question the manner in which JZ handles his polygamous lifestyle. To father children and marry wives in such a serial manner does not signify the universal understanding of marriage as a sacred union observed by various religions and cultures for eons. His current wedding comes just a year after the last. It seems Zuma is on a mission to acquire women, using the institution of marriage as an avenue to purchase as many women as possible.

3. Parenthood is primarily the woman’s job.

Parenting one child or two with a partner is one of the hardest jobs in humanity. Jacob Zuma, with all his political responsibilities and travel, would never be able to devote equal attention to all of his approximately 20 children. It thus becomes evident that his wives bear the brunt of raising their children – an issue that gender activists challenge on a daily basis. In the context of gender equality, JZ’s lifestyle runs against the ideal of having both parents contribute equally to the rearing of their offspring.

4. You’re never too old to enjoy sex and become a father

Most children do not want to think about the possibility of their parents having sex, but Jacob Zuma’s children are bound by their father’s actions to be open-minded in this regard. To have children under a year at the age of 65, Jacob Zuma has modeled to his generation and younger ones that sex has no age limit – a pleasure of life that one must fully indulge in. He would make a great feature on Hola Monate on SABC 2, a show that celebrates the wisdom of elders. They did have an episode on Ageing and Sexuality. An invite is in order.

5. Don’t practice what you preach

On World Aids Day, JZ encouraged South Africans to get an HIV test and act responsibly. His lifestyle does not invoke any confidence that he practices this global wisdom. It is difficult to believe that, having 18 children with different women, condoms feature in this lifestyle or even tests for that matter. It’s difficult to believe a man who says men and women should have 50% gender representation, as his party the African National Congress has committed to, when he has had five wives, who are all entitled to only one husband. How can there be 50/ 50 in government, if there is no 50/50 in the home?

I am sure that there is more that could be added to the list. The overriding question remains – after all that’s been said and done, can we trust Jacob Zuma to be the country’s moral compass?

Kazeka Mashologu Kuse is a freelance writer based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service.

 


0 thoughts on “Morality lessons from Jacob Zuma”

Pete says:

I share the sentiments on fatherhood and involvement in child rearing, but is Zuma any different to many top executives? I’m by no means suggesting this is right, just that its not uncommon.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m no fan of Zuma’s but I think everything else in this article is either spurious or based on assumption. I sure hope I’m still getting some when I’m 65.

Victoria says:

It is these women who get involved in these kind of relationships that lack self esteem,or is it the fear of growing alone,,there many single men out there .One just has to be patient and one their soul mate will come their way.Clearly our president is not worried about HIV/AIDS.What a shame!!

rlw says:

Important fact: His wives (at least the last 3) have chosen to marry him. Those who had children with him before marriage, chose to do so. His wives are making very deliberate decisions about family and economics. Without malice or judgment I say that this is the life they have chosen, let them be.

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