Jacob Zuma

A self-educated populist from an impoverished background, Jacob Zuma is the President and Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) political party in South Africa. Zuma has been the subject of over 750 corruption charges throughout his career.Huffington Post: Jacob Zuma: Top 5 Things You Didn't Know (April 21, 2009)

On May 9, 2009, Zuma was inaugurated as South Africa's president, in a lavish ceremony said to cost 75 million rand (U.S. $9 million).All Africa.com: President Zuma Inaugurated in Lavish Ceremony (May 9, 2009)

Results of the 2009 election released on April 25, 2009, revealed that the ANC won eight of nine provinces in the country, with Zuma taking 66 percent of the votes. In the Western Cape, Zuma's party lost to the Democratic Alliance.New York Times: Final Results Show Resounding Victory for A.N.C. in South Africa (April 25, 2009)

Though allied at one time, Zuma and former South African president Thabo Mbeki have become implacable rivals. In September 2008, Mbeke was ousted from the Presidency after corruption charges against Zuma—thought to have been spearheaded by Mbeki—were dismissed. It is believed that Mbeki was actually forced out of office behind the scenes by Zuma's allies.Times Online: Thabo Mbeki forced out as rival seizes power (September 21, 2008) An interim government is in power until the April 22, 2009 general election.FT.com: ANC putsch clears way for Zuma(September 21, 2008)

In 2005, Zuma was tried for the alleged rape of a family friend who was HIV-positive. Zuma denied the charges, claiming that the sex was consensual and that he had intended to marry the alleged victim.BBC News: SA's Zuma 'showered to avoid HIV' (April 5, 2006) During cross-examination, Zuma said that he had showered after the incident in the belief that bathing would protect him from contracting HIV.BBC News: SA's Zuma 'showered to avoid HIV' (April 5, 2006) He was acquitted in May 2006.