Nkandla residence controversy
Zuma faces an official investigation over 238 million rand ($19.3m) renovations of his rural private residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal province. Upgrades to the residence include a helipad, underground living quarters with about ten air-conditioned rooms, a medical clinic for the president and his family, houses for security staff, air force and police units, underground parking, playgrounds, and a visitors’ centre. Zuma – who shares the property with his four current wives and their children – previously said he would meet most of the bill, but government documents reveal he will pay 5%. Taxpayers already maintain two state residences in Pretoria and Cape Town. The public protector has received several complaints about irregular expenditure on the residence and has begun gathering information which could lead to a full investigation. The civil society group Corruption Watch has also filed questions to the government.
Zuma, Ngema marry
Zuma marries Ngema in a traditional ceremony, known as ‘umgcagco,’ at his rural home. The president’s three existing spouses are among the crowd as he ties the knot with Ngema, a businesswoman with whom he has a seven-year-old son. The couple’s marriage means she will now officially join the presidential household in his home village of Nkandla, where she will live alongside the statesman’s three other wives.
Confirms he is father of Thandekile Matina Zuma
Zuma confirms that he has had a child, his 20th, with Sonono Khoza, daughter of his old friend and soccer tycoon Irvin Khoza. The child was born October 8, 2009.
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.
He also criticizes the media for naming the child:
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.
Zuma, Madiba marry
Zuma marries Thobeka Madiba, at a homestead in rural KwaZulu-Natal province. They were meant to marry in 2008 but the wedding was delayed due to Zuma’s government responsibilities. The ceremony includes a hourlong traditional Zulu wedding dance. Madiba performs a solo dance while holding a spear and a shield to symbolize her acceptance of her new husband. Zuma, wearing a skirt made of animal fur pelts and sporting bright white tennis shoes, then joins the dance. The bride and groom wear matching sneakers. 2000 guests dine on traditional Zulu foods, and attendees are told that more than a dozen sheep, goats and cows have been slaughtered for the feast.
Zuma, Ntuli marry
Zuma marries Ntuli at his homestead Nkandla, Kwazulu-Natal. Between 400 and 500 guests attend the ceremony, which lasts three hours. Ntuli is the mother of two of Zuma’s children. Some of the guests are dressed in Zulu traditional attire, carrying shields and Knobkerries.
Dismissed as deputy
President Mbeki dismisses his deputy Zuma. Mbeki:
In the interest of the honourable deputy president, the government, our young democratic system and our country, it would be best to release the honourable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as deputy president of the republic and member of the cabinet.
Zuma:
I believe he has taken this decision not because he believes I am guilty of any crime but because of considerations relating to the constraints within which government operates.
Zuma, Mantsho marry
0 0 chrisu28 chrisu282015-06-30 02:43:162015-06-30 03:46:19Zuma, Mantsho marryZuma, Khumalo marry
Zuma marries Khumalo soon after his release from prison. Childhood sweethearts, he has known her since 1959
Jacob Zuma born in Nkandla, South Aftica
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is born to Gcinamazwi Zuma and Nobhekisisa Bessie in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. His father dies at the end of World War II, after which his mother takes up employment as a domestic worker in Durban. Owing to his deprived childhood, he does not receive any formal schooling. He spends his childhood moving between Zululand and the suburbs of Durban, and by age 15 takes on odd jobs to supplement his mother’s income.