Jacob Zuma : Ask Biography

Personal data

Date of birth

12 April 1942(age 73)

Place of birth

Inkandla, South Africa

Birth name

Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma

Nationality

South African

Political party

African National Congress (1959 � present)

Spouse

Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo (1973 � present)
Kate Zuma (1976 � 2000)
Nkosazana Dlamini (1982 � 1998)
Nompumelelo Ntuli (2008 � present)
Thobeka Mabhija (2010 � present)

Children

Religion

Protestantism, Full Gospel Church of Southern Africa

President of South Africa

Assumed office

9 May 2009

Deputy

Kgalema Motlanthe

Preceded by

Kgalema Motlanthe

President of the African National Congress

Assumed office

18 December 2007

Deputy

Kgalema Motlanthe

Preceded by

Thabo Mbeki

Deputy President of South Africa

In office

14 June 1999 - 14 June 2005

President

Thabo Mbeki

Succeeded by

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Preceded by

Thabo Mbeki

Member of Parliament

In office

1999 - 2005

Home | Office Holder | Jacob Zuma

Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (born 12 April 1942) is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election.

Zuma is the President of the African National Congress (ANC), the governing political party, and was Deputy President of South Africa from 1999 to 2005. Zuma is also referred to by his initials JZ and his clan name Msholozi. Zuma became the President of the ANC on 18 December 2007 after defeating incumbent Thabo Mbeki at the ANC conference in Polokwane. Zuma was also a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), briefly serving on the party's Politburo until he left the party in 1990.

On 20 September 2008, Thabo Mbeki announced his resignation after being recalled by the African National Congress's National Executive Committee, following a conclusion by Judge Nicholson of improper interference in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), including the prosecution of Jacob Zuma for corruption.

Zuma has faced significant legal challenges. He was charged with rape in 2005, but was acquitted. In addition, he fought a long legal battle over allegations of racketeering and corruption, resulting from his financial advisor Schabir Shaik's conviction for corruption and fraud. On 6 April 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop the charges citing political interference.