The Presidency Addresses The Zuma Wives Issue

January 6, 2010 by Brown Shuga

The Presidency released a statement this morning following all the questions/comments about the number of wives President Zuma has as well as the debate over who’s the official “first lady”.

zuma_and_wives_2_388849b

Here’s the statement:

The Presidency has noted media reports and speculation following the wedding of President Jacob Zuma to Ms Tobeka Madiba-Zuma and wishes to clarify a few points.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and the public service regulations do not make provision for a First Lady or First Ladies, and there is no such official designation.

However, as has been the practice in past administrations, the Presidency provides administrative support to the spouses of the President through its spousal office.

The President will be accompanied by any of the spouses to official or public engagements, or all of them at the same time should he so decide. This is his prerogative, and has been the practice since he took office.

The spouses may choose to engage in community work or any other activity that supports the work of the President. This is not mandatory as they are not part of the Presidency or the public service. They undertake this work purely on a voluntary basis.

Currently, MaKhumalo’s area of interest is agriculture and food security, and she runs a vegetable garden project in Nkandla, while KaMadiba has a special interest in health matters, especially work relating to the fight against cervical cancer. MaNtuli’s focus is in social development, and she does a lot of work relating to assisting orphans and vulnerable children.

We have also noted incorrect media reports stating that the President has five wives. For the record, President Zuma has three wives: Ms Sizakele Khumalo (MaKhumalo), Ms Nompumelelo Ntuli (MaNtuli) and Ms Tobeka Madiba (KaMadiba). He has a fiancée, Ms Bongi Ngema.

NOTE: In the isiZulu culture, married or adult women whose surnames begin with “Ma” automatically inherit the prefix “Ka” instead of “Ma” to avoid tautology, which is why Ms Madiba-Zuma is not referred to as “MaMadiba”.

Meanwhile…The Times is reporting that Zuma’s new wife, Thobeka and his other wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli are ‘extremely jealous of each other”…peep the story HERE.

Now, can we talk about something else?

Technically Mr Prez does have 5 wives: MaKhumalo. MaNtuli, KaMadiba, Bongi and da Swati Princess he lobolaed and was supposed 2 marry b4 MaNtuli but neva got round 2 it. lol, cant bliv theyre feudin ova him, shoving each ada during photo ops and now boycotting each adaz weddings, tltltl, if MaNtuli is gettin a R65 mil homestead i guess Thobeka will ask 4 mo moola 2 upstage her, ey dis is 2 funny.

Ke Gay on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 12:50 pm

YHO! tshelete yame ya TAX!

khafo on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 1:21 pm

Like I said I like MaKhumalo, shame. As for this two, someone is heading for a divorce in less than 36 months.

didi on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 2:15 pm

True khafo. the last 3 ladies, hai wababona barata dintho. M a true makhumalo fan.

Nokubonga on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 3:13 pm

MaKhumalo is the one…those 3 young ladies are with Mr Pres…because of status and money. I think MaNtuli is the problematic one…too much competetion in her and she wants to be the pres’s favourite. She aint even that beautiful with that mkhaba…how can you boycott KaMadiba’s wedding???

Jozi Insider on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 4:35 pm

I couldn’t help but had to post this one from the Times comments:

Comments
Jan 7 2010 12:39:11 AM

This is funnier than his disastrous fall-don wobbly dance! Wife 1 grows the veggies, Wife 2 cares for the 18 kids and Wife 3 worries about her girly bits?

And we thought Swaziland’s weird dictator-king was a tad iffy?

Nomfacey on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 10:36 am

I’d also be nasty and bitter and jealous and angry if my husband took on another wife…otherwise she wouldn’t be human…And don’t be fooled by MaKhumalo’s silence either…she’s a shy rural woman who was taught to obey and and never to question…I saw the pain in her eyes as she looked on at the wedding. That’s why Kate (Dudu’s mom) committed suicide cos Zuma was taking on MaNtuli after her…in her suicide letter she said “I couldn’t take the pain of loving someone and knowing that it wasn’t returned the same way but divided amongst all of us…she went on to say, I wish you all the happiness (to next wife) and hopefully an enduring heart that pains less than mine did thru-out this marriage. I’ve also heard from reliable sources that if “Khwezi” the rape accuser was next in line…so who says he’s gonna stop at wife number 10 or 15….If I had tea with him, i’d ask him where he gets the time to scout and shela and actually develop relationships with new women (seemingly every 12 months) when he has so many work and family commitments and responsibilities. I’d also tell him he’s failing the kids that already exist…parenting isn’t just about providing financially for your kids…I know i’d like my dad to be around and help me with my homework, first heartbreak and just generally lessons of life…Parents should be present in their kids everyday life (or atleast a bulk of it…) this whole split parenting system is bullsh@t!

Lex on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:28 am

Someone pls help,I find this a bit ‘contradictory’ (for lack of a better word)

“The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, do not make provision for a First Lady or First Ladies, and there is no such official designation.”

“the Presidency provides administrative support to the spouses of the President through its spousal office”

TKSM on Fri, 15th Jan 2010 8:10 pm

The president slipped and fell. Lol whats happening to this world? people should just theirs fact right hey like seriously kwakwakwa sho ja neh.

ncane on Wed, 2nd Jun 2010 9:01 am

live zuma alone i also look forward to meet him and fancy him i am very broke.

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The Presidency Addresses The Zuma Wives Issue

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