This is why Jacob Zuma will never be a leading, first world, politician…

On the 8th of May, 2006, Jacob Zuma was acquitted of rape charges. Fezeka Kuzwayo accused him of rape. He openly admitted to the sexual conduct, and claimed that the sex was consensual. The sexual encounter took place at his private residence.

The public was disgusted with Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, he claimed to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and admitted to unprotected sex (and the famous, deep-cleansing, shower)

While Fezeka was young, and voluptuous, many felt that Jacob could have done better

The 1st of February saw the revelation that President Jacob Zuma has fathered a love-child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Irvin Khoza. I am not sure where conception took place, but I assume it was somewhere comfortable…and private

The public was outraged with this revelation, and Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, the president supports the campaign to eliminate promiscuity

While Jacob Zuma is a charismatic leader and dynamic personality, many felt that Sonono could have done better

Our polygamous president faces yet another sex scandal.

And some people were (surprisingly) surprised.

It took several days, but here is what President Jacob Zuma had to say about the latest ‘affair’:

''I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the alliance and South Africans in general. 'I also acknowledge and understand the reaction of many South Africans.''

In January, 1998, news broke of Bill Clinton’s liaisons with Monica Lewinsky. She claimed that there were 9 encounters. All of them took place in the White House. Most of them in the Oval Office

The news broke on the 17th January 1998. Bill Clinton denied all the allegations, famously saying:

“Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you”

Seven months later, on the 17th of August 1998, Bill Clinton finally admitted to the “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.

While Monica was an astute, bright woman, many felt that Bill could have done better

American politicians are famous for sex scandals and hypocrisy. Some examples:

Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia introduced the ‘Defense of Marriage Act”, only to be photographed licking whipped cream off strippers at his inaugural party.

President Warren G Harding had repeated sexual encounters with a woman 30 years his junior – in a White House closet. He also fathered a child with her

Senator Strom Thurmond supported segregation and opposed civil right, but still got his 16 year old African American maid pregnant. He ran for president in 1948, and was a senator for 47 years.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister, has been accused of ‘gallivanting’ with young women, including a teenager. Photographs of parties at his villa include pictures of nude women.

Berlusconi has remained defiant. In June 2009, he told Italians (and the world):

“This is how I am. I’m not going to change a thing. If they like me this way, they like me this way.”

Berlusconi’s female companions are mostly young, attractive women, including models. Many feel that Sergio Berlusconi has done very well

In addition to the United States, and Italy, Australia has also had its share of sex scandals. Just last year, in Australia, South Australian Premier Mike Rann was accused of having sex with a former Parliament House barmaid – on his Parliament House desk.

Many South Africans are appalled at Jacob Zuma's behaviour. And they should be.

But, many South Africans also use Jacob Zuma's bahaviour to legitimise their lack of faith in South Africa, in general, and his presidency, in particular.

I feel that Jacob Zuma should deny the allegations (at least for a few days).

I believe Jacob Zuma should lie about the sexual misconduct (at least for seven months).

I advise that Jacob Zuma conducts his lascivious behaviour in the hallways of the Union Buildings, on the desk of his Presdential Office, on the Tuinhuis kitchen floor

Perhaps then, he would be viewed as a worthy, first-world politician.

And perhaps then, the doomsdayer South African public and the naysayer South African media would give him a break

Jacob Zuma Superstar

This week's Time Magazine featured Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa. His photo appeared on the front cover. The caption read 'The Surprising Promise of Jacob Zuma'. The main article, by Alex Perry, went on to say that Jacob Zuma is being surprisingly upfront and honest in acknowledging South Africa's problems. And even more surprising, he is tackling them. Alex Perry writes: "In his new government, Zuma began by promoting the good and sacking the bad.... Pravin Gordhan became Finance Minister...Zuma fired Hogan's predecessor at health, Manto Tshabalala Msimang...and former police chief Jackie Selebi, who is charged with corruption".

South Africa is getting so much press coverage. So much positive press coverage

But, what has changed in the past year?

Has our leadership changed to one that is less corrupt? Have we found new, highly valuable, natural resources? Have we won major international sporting events?

Leading up to the elections, many (Tarot-card reading) South Africans (unsuccessfully) predicted the imminent collapse of our beloved country. We were facing a future of certain darkness, with our African sun being blocked by the evil giant, Jacob Zuma

Months before the certainty of a Zuma leadership and the certain darkness it would bring, the Tarot-card readers had predicted another certainty of darkness. That earlier prediction of a future of certain darkness was less metaphorical, and a lot more literal, and was thanks to Eskom's inadequacy

Alex Perry of Time Magazine must be metaphorically, as well as literally, blind. Why can't he see the Zuma and Eskom darkness we are living in?

Apart from my retrenchment from work, we South Africans have not only come through recent crises, mostly unscathed. We are actually thriving.

Jacob Zuma is being praised. The number of tourists to South Africa is at an all time high, currently at approximately 9 million. South Africa is being featured, on a daily basis, on CNN, BBC, Al Jazeerah.

In 2010, South Africa will be the focus of the sporting world's attention. And while many of us may not even be sports fans, the evidence is clear: South Africa's commercial, tourism and entertainment industries are benefitting from all the positive, and extensive, exposure that our country is experiencing, and will experience in the near term future. A day does not go by when I don't see a good-news story about South Africa on one or all of the international news channels.

At the end of this week, the draw for the 2010 World Cup takes place in Cape Town. All the world's media will be there. As will international business leaders, sportsmen and sportswomen and famous actors and actresses.

South Africa is on the pages of many newspapers, on the covers of international sports magazines, in the theatres of international movie-houses, on the lead stories of international business news

South Africa is the place to be. And if you are South African, you should be proud that you are

So, back to my question: What has changed over the past year?

I believe, it's the world's perception of South Africa.

And I believe, it's time for us South Africans to make that change too