HE’S like the proverbial cat with nine lives. Nothing ever seems to keep him down – not being sent to jail, being given the boot by his own party, all his legal problems or the fact that many South Africans blame him for a big chunk of the country’s woes.
No matter the scandal or how sure his critics are there’s no way out, Jacob Zuma always seems to have the last laugh. And instead of being happy to spend his days quietly in Nkandla, the wily 82-year-old has made it clear he still has a big role to play in South African politics.
Five years after he reluctantly resigned as president, Zuma has stepped up to lead the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, which was launched recently to contest the national elections in May.
The man who once declared “the ANC will rule until Jesus Christ returns” is now lending his political clout to a rival party – and to add insult to injury the party has taken the name of the armed wing of the ANC. In another blow to the ANC, MK was successful in its bid to put Zuma’s name in the top spot on its list of election candidates, paving the way for his return to public office.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) originally refused to allow this, saying that as Zuma was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to jail he was precluded in terms of the constitution from serving in the National Assembly.
Yet Zuma’s legal team found a loophole, successfully arguing that because President Cyril Ramaphosa granted Zuma a remission of sentence last year, it rendered his initial 15-month sentence irrelevant. At the time of going to print the IEC had launched a Constitutional Court appeal to contest the decision.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 25 April 2024-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 25 April 2024-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you