Portrait of Jacob Zuma
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Jacob Zuma on Cyril Ramaphosa

Fierce political challenger (strong) Flip Head to head

TL;DR

Jacob Zuma aggressively challenges Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of incompetence and acting as a Western agent against the ANC's principles.

Key Points

  • He stated that Cyril Ramaphosa was the best person to correct the false narrative regarding the nine years he was president, as he was the deputy during that time.

  • Zuma claimed in late 2022 that Ramaphosa is a spy allegedly working with the CIA, asserting the current president bought his position within the ANC.

  • The former president supported a challenge by his predecessor and himself for the recusal of Judge Khampepe, placing him in the 'lawfare trenches' alongside them against the President's stance on the matter in March 2026.

Summary

Jacob Zuma's position on Cyril Ramaphosa is one of open and sustained political antagonism, primarily stemming from Ramaphosa succeeding him as president and leading the ANC in a different direction. Zuma has directly attacked the current administration's competence, famously stating that the incumbent "knows nothing and has no clue of running this country" and suggesting traditional leaders should instruct the president instead. Furthermore, he has leveled personal and political accusations, claiming the president is a "white boy who is stuck in a black skin" who was groomed by white people, suggesting he is not a true servant of the revolution.

This adversarial stance is contextualized by Zuma's own political battles following his resignation in 2018, which was followed by Ramaphosa initiating the Zondo Commission into state capture allegations that plagued Zuma's tenure. Zuma's recent political activity involves challenging the ANC through the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, positioning himself as a formidable threat to Ramaphosa’s leadership within the broader political sphere. His continued criticisms and political mobilization against the incumbent suggest a desire to undermine Ramaphosa's authority and correct what he views as a false narrative about the prior nine years of governance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacob Zuma's main view is highly negative, characterized by open political opposition and personal attacks. He frequently questions the current president's competence to govern South Africa effectively.

Yes, the stance has evolved from internal party tension to outright political opposition, marked by Zuma forming a rival party to challenge the one Ramaphosa leads. This political confrontation is a significant shift from when Ramaphosa was Zuma's deputy.

Jacob Zuma has accused Cyril Ramaphosa of being heavily influenced by white individuals, at one point calling him a "white boy who is stuck in a black skin." He suggested Ramaphosa was groomed by white people.