Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, born on April 12, 1942, is a South African politician who served as the fourth President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. His political career has been marked by both significant achievements and deep controversies.

Zuma was born in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, and did not receive formal schooling as a child. He became involved in politics at a young age, joining the African National Congress (ANC) in 1959. His commitment to the fight against apartheid saw him join Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, in 1962. His activities against the apartheid regime led to his arrest in 1963, and he was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela and other prominent ANC leaders.

After his release from prison in 1973, Zuma continued his work with the ANC, both in South Africa and in exile. He was instrumental in establishing ANC underground structures within South Africa and played a significant role in the ANC's intelligence operations. His efforts were recognized when he was appointed head of the ANC’s intelligence department in 1987, a position he held until 1990.

Zuma's return to South Africa after the unbanning of the ANC in 1990 marked a significant phase in his political career. He quickly rose through the ranks of the ANC, becoming the Deputy Secretary-General in 1991, the National Chairperson in 1994, and eventually the Deputy President of South Africa in 1999 under President Thabo Mbeki.

His tenure as Deputy President was, however, marred by controversy. In 2005, Zuma was dismissed from his position by Mbeki after being implicated in a corruption scandal related to the arms deal, a major defense procurement package in post-apartheid South Africa. Despite this setback, Zuma maintained strong support within the ANC, particularly from its left-leaning factions and the ANC Youth League.

In 2007, Zuma was elected as the President of the ANC, defeating Mbeki in a highly contested leadership race. His victory was seen as a triumph for the more populist and working-class elements within the ANC. Zuma's presidency of South Africa, which began in 2009, was characterized by efforts to expand social welfare programs, but it was also overshadowed by numerous allegations of corruption, state capture, and mismanagement.

Zuma’s administration faced increasing criticism for its handling of the economy, its perceived tolerance of corruption, and its failure to address the deep-seated inequalities in South African society. In 2016, the Constitutional Court found that Zuma had violated the constitution by failing to repay government money spent on upgrades to his private residence in Nkandla. This ruling further eroded his support within the ANC and among the general populace.

In February 2018, facing a vote of no confidence and immense pressure from his own party, Zuma resigned as President of South Africa. His resignation marked the end of an era in South African politics, but his influence within the ANC and the country remains a subject of debate.

Zuma's legacy is highly contested. While some view him as a champion of the poor and marginalized, others see his tenure as one marked by corruption and economic decline. His legal battles continue, with charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering still pending against him.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Zuma