South African president's affair with World Cup committee chairman's daughter slammed by opposition and sexual health activists
Jacob Zuma, the polygamous president of South Africa, has apologised for fathering his 20th child with a woman who is not one of his three wives
Sexual health activists have criticised Zuma for having sex with the daughter of a friend who is one of the principal organisers of this year's World Cup, contending his behaviour sets a bad example in a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV and Aids, the Reuters news agency reported
Senior ANC officials are also furious with the president for embarrassing the party and breaking a pledge he made after being elected party leader in 2007 "not to embarrass the ANC with other sexual revelations", according to South Africa's Star newspaper
"I have over the past week taken time to consider and reflect on the issues relating to a relationship I had outside of wedlock," Zuma said in a statement today
It has put a lot of pressure on my family and my organisation, the African National Congress. " I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the Alliance and South Africans in general
On Tuesday Zuma, who married for the fifth time last month, confirmed reports he had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, the 39-year-old daughter of Irvin Khoza, who is chairman of the World Cup local organising committee and owner of the Orlando Pirates football club
Khoza is said to have told family friends that he felt betrayed by Zuma's relationship with Sonono, as he considered him a friend. Zuma has now made a traditional payment of inhlawulo (damages) to Khoza's family
The leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, has accused Zuma of undermining the South African government's campaign against multiple sexual partners, "and the inherent Aids risk in having unprotected sex"
Multiple marriages are allowed in South Africa and form part of Zulu culture, but have drawn criticism from HIV and Aids activists. At least 5.7 million South Africans are infected, and an estimated 1,000 people die from the disease every day .
Jacob Zuma, the polygamous president of South Africa, has apologised for fathering his 20th child with a woman who is not one of his three wives
Sexual health activists have criticised Zuma for having sex with the daughter of a friend who is one of the principal organisers of this year's World Cup, contending his behaviour sets a bad example in a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV and Aids, the Reuters news agency reported
Senior ANC officials are also furious with the president for embarrassing the party and breaking a pledge he made after being elected party leader in 2007 "not to embarrass the ANC with other sexual revelations", according to South Africa's Star newspaper
"I have over the past week taken time to consider and reflect on the issues relating to a relationship I had outside of wedlock," Zuma said in a statement today
It has put a lot of pressure on my family and my organisation, the African National Congress. " I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the Alliance and South Africans in general
On Tuesday Zuma, who married for the fifth time last month, confirmed reports he had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, the 39-year-old daughter of Irvin Khoza, who is chairman of the World Cup local organising committee and owner of the Orlando Pirates football club
Khoza is said to have told family friends that he felt betrayed by Zuma's relationship with Sonono, as he considered him a friend. Zuma has now made a traditional payment of inhlawulo (damages) to Khoza's family
The leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, has accused Zuma of undermining the South African government's campaign against multiple sexual partners, "and the inherent Aids risk in having unprotected sex"
Multiple marriages are allowed in South Africa and form part of Zulu culture, but have drawn criticism from HIV and Aids activists. At least 5.7 million South Africans are infected, and an estimated 1,000 people die from the disease every day .
