Jacob Zuma speaks on his child

Statement by President Jacob Zuma on media reports about his child

I have noted recent media reports about aspects of my personal life.

I have noted too that these reports have been the subject of much discussion in the public arena by various organisations and people from all walks of life.

I have therefore decided, after some careful deliberation, to make public comment on a matter that is otherwise intensely personal. I had been out of the country when this matter arose.

I confirm that I have a relationship and a baby with Ms Sonono Khoza. I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal responsibility for our actions. I have done so. I have done the necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility, including the payment of inhlawulo to the family. The matter is now between the two of us, and culturally, between the Zuma and Khoza families.

It is unfortunate that the individuals concerned have been unfairly subjected to harsh media exposure merely because of the position that I occupy. Our Constitution and our laws require us to protect children from harmful public exposure. The Constitution states that it is inappropriate to place at risk, the child's well-being, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social development.

Both the Child Care Act and the new Children's Act also provides for the protection of children from exploitation. The naming of the child's parents has essentially exposed her to the public, which has serious implications in the long-term for her, and amounts to the exploitation referred to in the Act, because the media is making money out of the matter.

The media is also in essence questioning the right of the child to exist and fundamentally, her right to life. It is unfortunate that the matter has been handled in this way. I sincerely hope that the media will protect the rights of children.

Much has been made of the government's policy on HIV and AIDS and this relationship. It is mischievous to argue that I have changed or undermined government's stance on the HIV and AIDS campaign. I will not compromise on the campaign. Rather we will intensify our efforts to promote prevention, treatment, research and the fight against the stigma, attached to the epidemic. We will also continue with our campaign to ensure that every South African knows their HIV status, and that all those who need it have access to appropriate treatment.

We respect and uphold the freedom of the media. It is one of the freedoms we fought for, and which we will always defend. However, the President of the Republic, the mother and the baby are also entitled to the rights afforded to all South Africans in the Constitution. These rights cannot be waived just because of a position one occupies.

I would request that the dignity and privacy of the affected individuals in this matter be respected.

Statement issued by the Presidency, Union Buildings, February 3 2010

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so... Zuma forgot to mention that he lied (perpetrated a fraud) on the official forms where he stated that he and Sonono are married. Faudulent behaviour by the President has become a culture. What a good example he is setting!!! by Dudu on February 04 2010, 01:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

No insults please Brown, Attack Zuma if you will, but don't insult a whole group of African people. Please be careful about what you write and let's keep this blog as civilized as it ought to be. Most of us are disappointed by the conduct of people like . .more President Zuma which is morally indefensible. Peace. . .less by Dumisani Mkhize on February 04 2010, 01:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma's child No, Mr. Zuma, the matter is not just between the two of you and your families. You represent this country in the eyes of the world, and your words and actions are closely scrutinised not only by the electorate who voted you into power, but also by those . .more South Africans who did not want you or the ANC to control this country, and by the rest of the world - leaders and citizens alike. You have disgraced yourself in the eyes of many, but that is indeed your own concern. You have also brought ridicule and contempt upon the nation, and by association upon the many decent people of all races in this country, and that is very much our concern. . .less by Dr. Angelo Lambiris on February 04 2010, 06:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Poor Persecuted Jake Shame ....my heart bleeds for the innocent child and family...someone of his "wisdom" should've thought of these things. Perhaps his wisdom is concentrated in the little head and the brains was flushed out by the wicked shower attachment . .more Instead of showing remorse the sex fiend demonises the media and all those appaled by his behaviour See http://letterdash.com/g.annandale/zuma-missives . .less by Geanann on February 04 2010, 08:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Brown's attack on all black Africans Well said Dumisani Mkhize. I am a whilte African and Brown certainly does not speak for me. by Nic on February 04 2010, 08:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

cant undo Zuma fraud; zuma rape; zuma child, and what changes? the man is clearly his own entity n does what is right for him. yet being the leader of the nationm, he has to remember that everything he does goes under the microscope. bad example as a leader n i . .more hope he acknowlegdes that. but please don't generalize this matter and condem all "black african". that is narrow thinking. . .less by Brian on February 04 2010, 08:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What an idiot He takes personal responsibility? Then why didn't he come out last year and say he has another wife, what a chop! (And a liar - nice president.) by Craig on February 04 2010, 08:29 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma I think the current president is a scurrilous individual who is devoid of any redeeming qualities; that he has manged to climb to the highest political position should say much about us; after all, people get the leaders they deserve. I'm not only talking . .more about the people who voted the ANC here but also those who didn't; what have they done to drive the rest to rather seek this kind of leadership. . .less by mpush on February 04 2010, 08:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

NO!!!!!!!! The President has done the women of this country wrong.As a humble leader we know him to be all he needs to do is apologise and I am sure the forgiving nation will let this pass.However with the attitude he is now displaying it looks like there is still . .more more to come and we should be bracing ourselves for the worst.The ANCl lives and the ANC leads with or without people like Zuma. . .less by ZAPATA on February 04 2010, 09:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

DIRTY OLD MAN Shame on the ANC for imposing this DIRTY OLD MAN on our beloved Country . Time to deploy him to the Womans League and the Youth League so that he can give these ladies what they voted for. by SC on February 04 2010, 09:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mind your own buziness people should respect someones privacy batho balifatseng nirata litaba by mfundo on February 04 2010, 09:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mr Zuma takes responsibility for his child. Does our African culture allow an already married woman to take another man? If not then surely this is gender dicrimination? by Whitey on February 04 2010, 09:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma and his ANC members/voters are on ARV's! Don't blame them; ARV's impairs normal thought process, makes you horny and also causes "Verbal Diarhoea" as witnessed from statements by ANC including Deputy Prez (Motlanthe). ARV's will ravage ANC until Jesus comes back!!! by Mute Fool on February 04 2010, 10:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sex Crazy President!!! Hey JZ, maybe you should try keeping ur zipper up whenever u get hot under the pants. I have lost all my resect for you. You cannot just appologize and think its all fine. You should resign from your position and stop embarassing us all. You give us . .more black men a bad name. And stop using culture as an excuse. You are the president of the entire of South Africa, so stop acting like a zulu tribal chief. . .less by Thabo on February 04 2010, 10:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

African "Culture"...how funny! Braahaaaa....if that's you "culture", I'd love to see what's "uncultured"? But then Africa never really got out of the Dark Ages did it. Wonder why??? by Alex on February 04 2010, 12:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Poor wives Why are all his other wives this dead silent? and the other kids, none of them appears to have guts to tell father of the nation that he is in fact a disgrace to the family, clan, nation and wait for it.....entire world. by Afrique on February 04 2010, 13:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ow Msholozi Just when one thought you can never stoop lower - You disgust me Mr. President. For goodness sake if you really believe even half of the things you said in this statement (written by one public servant by the way) you will have the decency to control . .more you libido. For the record Mr. President - It is countrary to the message government is trying to send on HIV/AIDS when you go out and bed every woman you meet without protection then believe you have taken responsibility by paying inhlawulo, or anything for that matter. If everyone of ours men can go around having unprotected sex then use the money we have to take responsibility - believe you me the halfing of the HIV infection in whatever number of years will be nothing but a pipe dream. Please wake up Mr. President - even your supporters (Malema and Jacksom Mthembu included) are disappointed. By the way where the hell is the ANCWL and what is their position on the matter. Our Country Deserve Better, Mr. President - The Leadership of the ANC and the Alliance - OUR COUNTRY DESERVE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . .less by Disgusted on February 04 2010, 16:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zuma's moral leadership "The Constitution states that it is inappropriate to place at risk, the child's well-being, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social development." Excuse me, but who the hell are you to be lecturing about anybody's mental health, . .more spritual, moral or social development? First set an example then maybe you can pontificate on such matters. ". It is mischievous to argue that I have changed or undermined government's stance on the HIV and AIDS campaign. I will not compromise on the campaign." You have already compromised the campaign on more than one occasion. You're a bloody irresponsible idiot, President or not. . .less by Jeff on February 04 2010, 19:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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