Also known as: former South African President Jacob Zuma · President Zuma · President Jacob Zuma · Erstwhile President Jacob Zuma · former President Jacob Zuma · uBaba · Mr Zuma · sitting President of South Africa
Former South African President whose party's 2022 leadership decisions prompted Constitutional Court intervention and subsequent impeachment proceedings against successor Ramaphosa.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Jacob Zuma is described as having committed horrifying corruption and state capture
“Ramaphosa's sins do not seem to match the horrifying corruption and state capture of his predecessor Jacob Zuma.”
Lessons From a Dead Man WalkingThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma caused serious damage to South African society and institutions through corruption
“It is undeniable that the scale of corruption under Jacob Zuma has seriously damaged our society and many of our institutions.”
Elitism Remains The Enemy Of DemocracyThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma was happy to have Malema as leader as long as he would kill for Zuma
“Jacob Zuma was happy to have Malema as the leader as long as he was happy to "kill for Zuma"; when the time came to campaign for Nasrec, the Premier League, allegedly engineered the election of Maine.”
ANC, A Rapidly Ageing Party Still Dwelling In The PastThe Namibian
former president Jacob Zuma was the focus of a public debate now discussing economic divides
“A public debate which has been fixated on former president Jacob Zuma is now discussing economic divides.”
Land Debate In South Africa Is About Dignity And Equality – Not About The ConstitutionThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma resigned as South African president
“Three days after Jacob Zuma resigned as South African president, the Afrikaans Sunday paper Rapport published two opinion pieces on opposing pages.”
The Paradox Of Tolerance Is Put To The Test In SAThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma resigned the presidency under pressure from his own party
“South Africa's Jacob Zuma finally buckled under pressure from his own party to resign the presidency.”
Africa's Fallen LiberatorsThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma led a decade of maladministration, venal politics, and corruption
“After a decade of maladministration, venal politics, corruption and the wrecking of a number of important state institutions”
Ramaphosa Is A Breath Of Fresh Air. But South Africans Can't RelaxThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma was removed as South African president
“The removal of South African president Jacob Zuma will be remembered for several reasons.”
The Removal Of Zuma Was A MasterstrokeThe Namibian
Jacob Zuma saw his party's vote share decline by more than 20% under his watch
“the ANC's vote share has declined by more than 20% under his watch”
The Removal Of Zuma Was A MasterstrokeThe Namibian
President Jacob Zuma has resigned before the official end of his tenure
“President Jacob Zuma has resigned before the official end of his tenure.”
ANC Power Struggle Shows South Africa Is Not Exceptional (After All)An opinion piece argues that South Africa's criminal justice system is fundamentally broken and requires a revolution rather than incremental reforms, citing recent leadership failures at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and the National Prosecuting Authority.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that South Africa's criminal justice system is fundamentally broken and requires a revolution rather than incremental reforms, citing recent leadership failures at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and the National Prosecuting Authority.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is wielding considerable power as the second-most influential figure in government after President Cyril Ramaphosa, as demonstrated by his decisions at the Public Investment Corporation and actions affecting municipalities. The article notes that a finance minister typically holds more actual authority than other senior officials due to their control over the national budget, and Godongwana has been able to exercise this power with clear presidential backing.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament's impeachment committee voted 14–13 to appeal an interdict halting public proceedings against President Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala forex theft; delays over procedural matters such as appointing evidence leaders and finalising terms of reference suggest a lengthy process ahead if hearings commence.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Netflix's 22-episode series "The Polygamist," released on 12 June, follows a wealthy Johannesburg businessman with multiple wives and a mistress, generating widespread social media discussion across Africa and internationally, with reactions ranging from memes to celebrity tweets.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
MK party MP Vusi Shongwe told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan offered to "look after" him and a cigarette businessman offered R10m after Shongwe raised issues about Khan in Parliament, which allegedly surprised party leader Jacob Zuma.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that anti-immigrant movements in South Africa distract from the real causes of the country's development failures, including state capture and high-level corruption that have cost the government far more in lost public funds than immigration.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Undocumented migrants in South Africa, particularly Malawians, face door-to-door intimidation and violence as protesters have set 30 June as a deadline for them to leave. Up to 7,000 foreigners have gathered in an open field in Durban seeking refuge, with reports of armed South African men attacking residents and threatening deportation.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that the National Assembly's December 2022 vote declining to refer an independent panel's report on President Cyril Ramaphosa to an impeachment committee was unconstitutional and invalid, and has now referred the report directly to the impeachment committee. An analyst says the ANC's use of majoritarian tactics to shield Ramaphosa has left the party in crisis ahead of 2026 local elections.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A Constitutional Court ruling has forced Parliament to consider impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over allegations concerning US dollars stolen from his home. However, analysis suggests it is unlikely he will be removed from office, as a two-thirds majority of MPs would be required and the ANC's interests appear to align with his remaining in power.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Freedom Party has expelled its sole representative in the KZN legislature, Mbali Shinga, after she defied party leadership to vote against a motion of no confidence in Premier Thami Ntuli in December, preventing the MK party from seizing control of the province.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's military has been deployed to five provinces to help police combat gang violence and illicit mining. Security experts warn that military deployment rarely delivers lasting results without addressing root causes of crime, and residents express mixed views on whether soldiers will improve safety.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian's analysis of Mosiuoa Lekota, who died on Wednesday, argues that his role in forming the Congress of the People in 2008 was equally vital to his anti-apartheid activism. By breaking the ANC's political dominance, Cope's 1.3 million votes prevented Zuma's government from securing a two-thirds majority, shifted South African politics from racial to policy-based competition, and inspired the formation of other parties including the EFF and ActionSA, fundamentally changing the country's democratic trajectory.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Newly released US Department of Justice records show convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cultivated extensive ties to South Africa dating to the 1980s, networked with prominent South African businessmen and officials, and used scouts and intermediaries to recruit South African women and girls through modelling opportunities and employment offers.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Released US Justice Department documents show that former South African President Jacob Zuma attended an intimate dinner organised by late sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein at the Ritz Hotel in London on 5 March 2010, during an official state visit to the United Kingdom.
2 February 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a derogatory term for African migrants and called for them to leave the country during a speech in KwaZulu-Natal, drawing concern from human rights experts who warn his comments risk encouraging vigilante action against foreigners in a region already marked by anti-migrant tensions.
2 February 2026 · The Namibian →