Jacob Zuma is the former President of South Africa
Jacob Zuma
@Fourth President of South Africa, Timeline and Facts
Apr 12, 1942
Biography
Personal Details
- Birthday: April 12, 1942
- Nationality: South African
- Famous: Fourth President of South Africa, Leaders, Political Leaders, Revolutionaries, Presidents
- Spouses: Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo, Gloria Bongekile Ngema, Kate Mantsho, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Nompumelelo Ntuli, Thobeka Stacy Mabhija
- Siblings: Joseph Zuma, Michael Zuma
- Known as: Mosholozi, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, JZ
- Childrens: Duduzani Zuma, Gugulethu Zuma, Manqoba Kholwani Zuma, Nhlakanipho Vusi Zuma, Nokuthula Nomaqhawe Zuma, Phumzile Zuma, Sinqobile Zuma, Thandekile Matina Zuma, Thandisiwe Zuma, Thuthukile Xolile Nomonde Zuma
Jacob Zuma born at
Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal
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Birth Place
He is a polygamist and has married six times. At present, he has four wives and is considered to be the father of an estimated 20 children, born to his wives, girlfriends and mistresses.
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Personal Life
He was born on April 12, 1942, at Nkandla, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to Geinamazwi Zuma, a policeman, and his wife, Nobhekisisa Bessie. He has two brothers, Michael and Joseph.
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Childhood & Early Life
When his father died in World War II, he and his mother moved to Maphumulo. He began to support his family through cattle shepherding from an early age and received no formal schooling thereafter. Eventually, he taught himself to read and write.
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Childhood & Early Life
In 1958, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL). The following year, he joined the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU).
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Career
In 1962, he joined a political study group in Cato Manor (Mkhumbane), and was recruited as an active member of MK, an armed wing of ANC. The following year, he was recruited into the South African Communist Party (SACP).
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Career
In June 1963, he left the country for military training but was arrested along with a group of 45 recruits. They were convicted for conspiring to overthrow the government and were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on Robben Island.
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Career
After his release in December 1973, he helped mobilize internal resistance and was instrumental in the re-establishment of ANC underground structures in Natal between 1974 and 1975. He later became part of an initiative, led by Harry Gwala, to send young people out of the country for military training.
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Career
After Gwala’s arrest, he left the country in December 1975. Over the next 12 years, he operated from Southern Africa and was involved in underground work along with Thabo Mbeki and others, supporting ANC structures operating inside South Africa.
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Career
In 1998, he was awarded the ‘Nelson Mandela Award for Outstanding Leadership’ for his role in ending political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Awards & Achievements