Jacob Zuma, South African politician, 4th President of South Africa

Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, born on 12 April 1942, is a prominent South African politician whose journey from anti-apartheid activist to the fourth president of South Africa encapsulates a significant chapter in the nation's post-democratic history. Often referred to by his initials, JZ, and his respected Zulu clan name, Msholozi, Zuma served as president from 2009 to 2018. Before assuming the nation's highest office, he was a key figure within the African National Congress (ANC), leading it as president from 2007 to 2017, and was allegedly a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC's armed wing during the apartheid era. The use of his clan name, Msholozi, is a deeply ingrained cultural practice in Zulu society, signifying respect and lineage, often used by supporters as a term of endearment and political identity.

A Journey from Rural Roots to Robben Island

Zuma's story began in the rural heartland of Nkandla, nestled within what is now the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This region remains a significant wellspring of his political support. His formative years coincided with the tightening grip of apartheid, and at the tender age of 17 in 1959, he joined the African National Congress, dedicating himself to the struggle for liberation. His commitment led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for a decade on the infamous Robben Island, a stark symbol of apartheid's brutality and a crucible for many future leaders, including Nelson Mandela. After his release, the political repression forced him into exile in 1975, a common path for anti-apartheid activists seeking to continue the fight from abroad. During this period, his strategic acumen saw him rise through the ranks, eventually being appointed to head the ANC's crucial intelligence department, playing a vital role in gathering information and coordinating resistance efforts against the apartheid regime from outside South Africa's borders.

From Exile to Deputy President: A Rapid Rise and Political Turmoil

With the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, marking a pivotal moment in South Africa's transition to democracy, Zuma returned home and quickly ascended through the party's national leadership. His progression was swift: he became Deputy Secretary General in 1991, National Chairperson in 1994, and then Deputy President of the ANC in 1997. This trajectory culminated in his appointment as Deputy President of South Africa in 1999, serving under President Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela's successor. However, this period was not without its shadows. On 14 June 2005, Mbeki controversially dismissed Zuma from his position as Deputy President following the conviction of Zuma's financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, on charges of making corrupt payments related to the contentious 'Arms Deal' – a massive post-apartheid government procurement of military equipment that became mired in allegations of bribery. While facing corruption charges himself, Zuma was also acquitted on highly publicized rape charges in a 2006 trial that captivated the nation. Despite these formidable legal and political challenges, he remarkably retained significant support from a powerful left-wing coalition within the ANC, a crucial factor that empowered him to ultimately unseat Mbeki as ANC president in December 2007 at the party's fiercely contested Polokwane elective conference, fundamentally altering the course of South African politics.

Presidency and the Pursuit of "Radical Economic Transformation"

Jacob Zuma’s political momentum carried him to the nation’s highest office, and he was elected President of South Africa in the 2009 general election, officially taking office on 9 May 2009. Coincidentally, the criminal charges against him related to the Arms Deal were formally withdrawn just days before his inauguration, paving the way for his presidency. During his tenure, Zuma spearheaded ambitious initiatives, notably launching the formidable R4-trillion National Infrastructure Plan, aimed at revitalizing the country’s infrastructure and boosting economic growth. He also pursued a controversial nuclear power deal with the Russian government, a project that promised significant energy capacity but was ultimately blocked by the Western Cape High Court in 2017 due to concerns over its legality and economic feasibility. A former member of the South African Communist Party, Zuma increasingly employed left-wing populist rhetoric, culminating in his 2017 State of the Nation address where he unveiled a bold new policy agenda: "radical economic transformation." This vision sought to fundamentally restructure the economy to address persistent inequalities. While many of the proposed policy initiatives were still in their nascent stages by the end of his presidency, they notably included land expropriation without compensation, a deeply divisive but popular proposal; the implementation of free higher education; and a series of attempted structural reforms across key sectors, involving restrictions on foreign ownership and more stringent Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements designed to foster greater participation of historically disadvantaged South Africans in the economy. On the international stage, President Zuma championed South-South solidarity, fostering closer ties with developing nations, and pursued active economic diplomacy. South Africa's admission to the influential BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is often cited as a significant diplomatic triumph of his presidency, cementing the country's role on the global stage. Furthermore, he received commendation for his administration's revised and more proactive HIV/AIDS policy, marking a departure from previous contentious approaches and significantly expanding access to treatment and prevention.

A Presidency Marred by Allegations and State Capture

Despite early successes and ambitious policy agendas, Zuma’s presidency, particularly his second term, became increasingly overshadowed by a torrent of controversies and allegations of corruption. A major turning point came in 2014 when the Public Protector, an independent constitutional body, found that Zuma had improperly benefited from substantial state expenditure on upgrades to his private Nkandla homestead. This was followed by a landmark ruling in 2016 from the Constitutional Court, which declared that Zuma had failed to uphold, defend, and respect the Constitution, leading to widespread calls for his resignation and a failed impeachment attempt in the National Assembly. Compounding these issues, by early 2016, alarming and widespread allegations emerged – later extensively investigated by the Zondo Commission between 2018 and 2021 – that the influential Gupta family had acquired immense and corrupt influence over Zuma's administration, a phenomenon widely termed "state capture." This intricate web of alleged corruption involved the Guptas' purported ability to influence ministerial appointments, secure lucrative state contracts, and divert public funds for private gain. The political pressure intensified, and after his Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, was elected to succeed him as ANC president in December 2017, the ANC National Executive Committee made the momentous decision to 'recall' Zuma from the state presidency, effectively asking him to step down. Facing an impending fifth vote of no confidence in Parliament, Jacob Zuma ultimately resigned on 14 February 2018, just a day before Cyril Ramaphosa officially assumed the presidency, bringing an end to a tumultuous nine-year era.

Enduring Legal Challenges and Imprisonment

Even after his resignation from the highest office, Jacob Zuma's legal battles continued unabated. Shortly after stepping down, on 16 March 2018, the National Prosecuting Authority announced that he would again face prosecution on corruption charges directly related to the infamous 1999 Arms Deal. He pleaded not guilty on 26 May 2021, and the high-profile trial is currently set to resume on 11 April 2022, keeping the legacy of the Arms Deal firmly in the public eye. In a separate and unprecedented legal matter, in July 2021, Zuma faced imprisonment in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, for contempt of court. This arose from his refusal to return to testify before the Zondo Commission, which was probing allegations of state capture, after having appeared for less than three days. He had violated several summonses and a direct Constitutional Court order compelling his testimony. On 29 June 2021, the Constitutional Court sentenced him to a fifteen-month prison term. His arrest on 7 July triggered significant public unrest in parts of the country. He was subsequently released on medical parole two months later, on 5 September. However, his parole was rescinded by the high court on 15 December, though he has been granted leave to appeal this ruling in the Supreme Court of Appeal, indicating that his legal saga is far from over.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jacob Zuma

Who is Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma?
Jacob Zuma is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He was also a prominent anti-apartheid activist and former president of the African National Congress (ANC).
What is "Msholozi"?
Msholozi is Jacob Zuma's revered Zulu clan name. It is commonly used by his supporters as a term of endearment and respect, reflecting deep cultural significance in Zulu society.
When was Jacob Zuma president of South Africa?
Jacob Zuma served as president of South Africa from 9 May 2009 to 14 February 2018.
What were the major controversies during Zuma's presidency?
His presidency was marked by significant controversies, including allegations of improper state expenditure on his Nkandla homestead, which led to a Constitutional Court ruling against him, and widespread allegations of "state capture" by the Gupta family, which led to an extensive judicial inquiry (the Zondo Commission).
Why was Jacob Zuma imprisoned in 2021?
Jacob Zuma was imprisoned in July 2021 for contempt of court after he repeatedly refused to testify before the Zondo Commission, violating summonses and a direct order from the Constitutional Court.
What was "radical economic transformation"?
"Radical economic transformation" was a key policy agenda announced by President Zuma in 2017, aimed at fundamentally restructuring South Africa's economy to address historical inequalities, primarily through measures like land expropriation without compensation, free higher education, and enhanced Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements.
What is the significance of the "Arms Deal"?
The "Arms Deal" refers to a controversial 1999 government procurement of military equipment that became entangled in allegations of widespread corruption and bribery. These allegations have led to long-standing legal battles for many individuals, including Jacob Zuma.
How did Jacob Zuma rise to power within the ANC?
After returning from exile in 1990, Zuma rapidly ascended through the ANC ranks, holding positions such as Deputy Secretary General, National Chairperson, and Deputy President. His political prowess culminated in his election as ANC president in 2007 at the Polokwane conference, unseating then-President Thabo Mbeki, and subsequently becoming the country's president in 2009.