S.Africa's Zuma regrets having child out of wedlock

• Source: Global Times
• [00:34 February 08 2010]
• Comments

South African President Jacob Zuma apologized Saturday for fathering an illegitimate child, in the face of national outcry.

Critics say Zuma, a Zulu traditionalist who practices polygamy and currently has three wives and 20 children, including the baby he fathered with another woman, has set a bad example in a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS.

"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.

"I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the African National Congress (ANC), the Alliance and South Africans in general," he said, reaffirming his commitment to "the importance of the family."

On Tuesday, Zuma, who married for the fifth time last month, taking Tobeka Madiba as his third current wife, confirmed reports he had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Irvin Khoza, who heads the local organizing committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by South Africa in June.

On Saturday, the Star Newspaper quoted unnamed senior party officials as saying Zuma had plunged his ANC party into crisis by breaking a pledge he made after being elected party leader in 2007 "not to embarrass the ANC with other sexual revelations."

Multiple marriages are allowed in South Africa and form part of Zulu culture, but have drawn criticism from HIV/AIDS activists. At least 5.7 million South Africans are infected, and an estimated 1,000 people die from the disease each day.

Reuters