STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON MEDIA REPORTS ABOUT HIS CHILD
I have noted recent media reports about aspects of my personal
life. I have noted too that these reports have been the subject of
much discussion in the public arena by various organisations and
people from all walks of life.
I have therefore decided, after some careful deliberation, to
make public comment on a matter that is otherwise intensely
personal. I had been out of the country when this matter arose.
I confirm that I have a relationship and a baby with Ms Sonono
Khoza. I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal
responsibility for our actions. I have done so. I have done the
necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for
example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility,
including the payment of inhlawulo to the family. The matter is
now between the two of us, and culturally, between the Zuma and
Khoza families.
It is unfortunate that the individuals concerned have been
unfairly subjected to harsh media exposure merely because of the
position that I occupy. Our Constitution and our laws require us to
protect children from harmful public exposure. The Constitution
states that it is inappropriate to place at risk, the child's
well-being, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social
development.
Both the Child Care Act and the new Children's Act also provides
for the protection of children from exploitation. The naming of the
child's parents has essentially exposed her to the public, which
has serious implications in the long-term for her, and amounts to
the exploitation referred to in the Act, because the media is
making money out of the matter.
The media is also in essence questioning the right of the child
to exist and fundamentally, her right to life. It is unfortunate
that the matter has been handled in this way. I sincerely hope that
the media will protect the rights of children.
Much has been made of the government's policy on HIV and AIDS
and this relationship. It is mischievous to argue that I have
changed or undermined government's stance on the HIV and AIDS
campaign. I will not compromise on the campaign. Rather we will
intensify our efforts to promote prevention, treatment, research
and the fight against the stigma, attached to the epidemic. We
will also continue with our campaign to ensure that every South
African knows their HIV status, and that all those who need it have
access to appropriate treatment.
We respect and uphold the freedom of the media. It is one of the
freedoms we fought for, and which we will always defend. However,
the President of the Republic, the mother and the baby are also
entitled to the rights afforded to all South Africans in the
Constitution. These rights cannot be waived just because of a
position one occupies.
I would request that the dignity and privacy of the affected
individuals in this matter be respected.
I have noted recent media reports about aspects of my personal
life. I have noted too that these reports have been the subject of
much discussion in the public arena by various organisations and
people from all walks of life.
I have therefore decided, after some careful deliberation, to
make public comment on a matter that is otherwise intensely
personal. I had been out of the country when this matter arose.
I confirm that I have a relationship and a baby with Ms Sonono
Khoza. I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal
responsibility for our actions. I have done so. I have done the
necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for
example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility,
including the payment of inhlawulo to the family. The matter is
now between the two of us, and culturally, between the Zuma and
Khoza families.
It is unfortunate that the individuals concerned have been
unfairly subjected to harsh media exposure merely because of the
position that I occupy. Our Constitution and our laws require us to
protect children from harmful public exposure. The Constitution
states that it is inappropriate to place at risk, the child's
well-being, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social
development.
Both the Child Care Act and the new Children's Act also provides
for the protection of children from exploitation. The naming of the
child's parents has essentially exposed her to the public, which
has serious implications in the long-term for her, and amounts to
the exploitation referred to in the Act, because the media is
making money out of the matter.
The media is also in essence questioning the right of the child
to exist and fundamentally, her right to life. It is unfortunate
that the matter has been handled in this way. I sincerely hope that
the media will protect the rights of children.
Much has been made of the government's policy on HIV and AIDS
and this relationship. It is mischievous to argue that I have
changed or undermined government's stance on the HIV and AIDS
campaign. I will not compromise on the campaign. Rather we will
intensify our efforts to promote prevention, treatment, research
and the fight against the stigma, attached to the epidemic. We
will also continue with our campaign to ensure that every South
African knows their HIV status, and that all those who need it have
access to appropriate treatment.
We respect and uphold the freedom of the media. It is one of the
freedoms we fought for, and which we will always defend. However,
the President of the Republic, the mother and the baby are also
entitled to the rights afforded to all South Africans in the
Constitution. These rights cannot be waived just because of a
position one occupies.
I would request that the dignity and privacy of the affected
individuals in this matter be respected.
