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| Is Zuma's sex life a private matter? | Is Zuma's sex life a private matter? |
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| Jacob Zuma has always been open about his practising of polygamy By Pumza Fihlani BBC News, Johannesburg | Jacob Zuma has always been open about his practising of polygamy By Pumza Fihlani BBC News, Johannesburg |
| South Africans have largely accepted President Jacob Zuma's polygamy - but allegations that he fathered a child out of wedlock have highlighted a gaping cultural divide. | South Africans have largely accepted President Jacob Zuma's polygamy - but allegations that he fathered a child out of wedlock have highlighted a gaping cultural divide. |
| In battling South Africa's HIV/Aids epidemic, the government advocates regular condom use and faithfulness to one partner. | In battling South Africa's HIV/Aids epidemic, the government advocates regular condom use and faithfulness to one partner. |
| It is un-African to discuss private matters publicly Moses TwalaKara Heritage Institute | It is un-African to discuss private matters publicly Moses TwalaKara Heritage Institute |
| Mr Zuma has three wives. And now, it seems, a four-month-old daughter with another woman - 39-year-old Sonono Khoza whose father is a senior football official. | Mr Zuma has three wives. And now, it seems, a four-month-old daughter with another woman - 39-year-old Sonono Khoza whose father is a senior football official. |
| Opposition parties and newspapers, Aids activists and women's rights groups are up in arms - they accuse Mr Zuma of setting a bad example. | Opposition parties and newspapers, Aids activists and women's rights groups are up in arms - they accuse Mr Zuma of setting a bad example. |
| But the government has denied suggestions that his actions contradict his government's policies on Aids. | But the government has denied suggestions that his actions contradict his government's policies on Aids. |
| And the spotlight on Mr Zuma's sex life has once again opened the debate about his polygamy. | And the spotlight on Mr Zuma's sex life has once again opened the debate about his polygamy. |
| Some have questioned whether it should still be allowed in a country where more than five million people live with HIV. | |
| Rural phenomenon | Rural phenomenon |
| Political commentator Adam Habib is among those who believe Mr Zuma needs to clarify his position - at least on the latest allegations. | Political commentator Adam Habib is among those who believe Mr Zuma needs to clarify his position - at least on the latest allegations. |
| Xhosas are among the groups who practise polygamy | Xhosas are among the groups who practise polygamy |
| "If Mr Zuma is convinced that there is no contradiction between his extramarital relationship and government's message on safe sex then he should explain this," Mr Habib says. | "If Mr Zuma is convinced that there is no contradiction between his extramarital relationship and government's message on safe sex then he should explain this," Mr Habib says. |
| He says a "significant group of citizens" do not have a problem with Mr Zuma's polygamy because he has been "transparent" about it. | He says a "significant group of citizens" do not have a problem with Mr Zuma's polygamy because he has been "transparent" about it. |
| But he says the gap between those "for it" and those "against it" seems to be widening. | But he says the gap between those "for it" and those "against it" seems to be widening. |
| Zulus and Xhosas are among the groups were polygamy is practised, but it has largely become a rural phenomenon. | Zulus and Xhosas are among the groups were polygamy is practised, but it has largely become a rural phenomenon. |
| Traditionalists in rural areas embrace polygamy as an important part of culture. | Traditionalists in rural areas embrace polygamy as an important part of culture. |
| Moses Twala, of the the Kara Heritage Institute, does not believe there should even be a debate about Mr Zuma's wives, or alleged mistress. | Moses Twala, of the the Kara Heritage Institute, does not believe there should even be a debate about Mr Zuma's wives, or alleged mistress. |
| "It is un-African to discuss private matters publicly. It makes me question what purpose this serves except to degrade someone," he says. | "It is un-African to discuss private matters publicly. It makes me question what purpose this serves except to degrade someone," he says. |
| "It is a normal for a man in our culture to be married but have children outside of his marriage, that has often been how other marriages have formed." | "It is a normal for a man in our culture to be married but have children outside of his marriage, that has often been how other marriages have formed." |
| 'Cultural intolerance' | 'Cultural intolerance' |
| But many South Africans believe polygamy perpetuates inequality between men and women. | But many South Africans believe polygamy perpetuates inequality between men and women. |
| Just because polygamy is part of some cultures doesn't mean it is good for society Security guard Golden Mushwana | Just because polygamy is part of some cultures doesn't mean it is good for society Security guard Golden Mushwana |
| The debate is raging even among friends and colleagues on Johannesburg's streets. | The debate is raging even among friends and colleagues on Johannesburg's streets. |
| Security guard Golden Mushwana says the practice is outdated - asking why a man would ever need three wives. | Security guard Golden Mushwana says the practice is outdated - asking why a man would ever need three wives. |
| "Just because polygamy is part of some cultures doesn't mean it is good for society," he says. | "Just because polygamy is part of some cultures doesn't mean it is good for society," he says. |
| But his colleague Tebogo Motshabi disagrees. | But his colleague Tebogo Motshabi disagrees. |
| "We don't practise polygamy in [my] culture but if we were allowed to I would marry more than one wife, I don't think there is anything wrong with it if that's what you want," he says. | "We don't practise polygamy in [my] culture but if we were allowed to I would marry more than one wife, I don't think there is anything wrong with it if that's what you want," he says. |
| Mr Zuma's supporters have always rebuffed criticism of his polygamy - and they have been less receptive to critics linking his sexual habits to Aids policies. | Mr Zuma's supporters have always rebuffed criticism of his polygamy - and they have been less receptive to critics linking his sexual habits to Aids policies. |
| To them, such criticism shows "cultural intolerance" or an attitude of "cultural superiority" against black people. | To them, such criticism shows "cultural intolerance" or an attitude of "cultural superiority" against black people. |
| During white minority rule, black cultural practices had no place in society - the government of the time viewed them as inferior. | During white minority rule, black cultural practices had no place in society - the government of the time viewed them as inferior. |
| But black South Africans have for years defined themselves by their cultural values, beliefs and customs and it is important to many black people to retain that. | But black South Africans have for years defined themselves by their cultural values, beliefs and customs and it is important to many black people to retain that. |
| Mr Zuma recently defended having "many wives" in Davos | Mr Zuma recently defended having "many wives" in Davos |
| Cultural and ethnic leaders have been careful not to criticise Mr Zuma's lifestyle in public, lest they be accused of cultural intolerance. | Cultural and ethnic leaders have been careful not to criticise Mr Zuma's lifestyle in public, lest they be accused of cultural intolerance. |
| South Africa's constitution recognises the practice under customary law. | South Africa's constitution recognises the practice under customary law. |
| And Mr Zuma has always been open about his embracing of Zulu cultural beliefs. | And Mr Zuma has always been open about his embracing of Zulu cultural beliefs. |
| He recently defended having "many wives" at the World Economic Summit in Davos, calling for people to be more accepting of his culture. | He recently defended having "many wives" at the World Economic Summit in Davos, calling for people to be more accepting of his culture. |
| "That's my culture. It does not take anything from me, from my political beliefs, including the belief in the equality of women," AFP news agency quoted the president as saying. | "That's my culture. It does not take anything from me, from my political beliefs, including the belief in the equality of women," AFP news agency quoted the president as saying. |
| Some argue that this kind of openness is vital to the appeal he holds for many rural South Africans and traditionalists. | Some argue that this kind of openness is vital to the appeal he holds for many rural South Africans and traditionalists. |
| Is President Jacob Zuma's sex life a private matter? Tell us what do you think, using the postform below. | Is President Jacob Zuma's sex life a private matter? Tell us what do you think, using the postform below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |