SIGNED copies of Zuma’s book come with a HEFTY price tag

Remember that long awaited memoir former president Jacob Zuma touted? Well, it’s finally here – but not many people are impressed with what Zuma has to offer. Jacob Zuma Speaks was launched virtually on Friday, just before midnight. But here is the criticism: for someone who has led such an eventful life, the book is wafer thin – not even those Roald Dahl books read in Grade 7 can compare. Some have taken to social media to mock the book, comparing it to a colouring book, seriously.

Jacob Zuma speaks – how much for a signed copy??

But it’s not just the size of Jacob Zuma’s book that has tongues wagging, fresh off its launch – it’s the fact that a signed copy will cost you a whopping R1 000. Mzwanele Mnyi, the spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation has even moved to sell copies from a car boot, if his tweet is anything to go by. Manyi tweeted that he and Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla will be out and about in Sandton, Johannesburg with copies of the book at 14:00 on Sunday, 12 December 2021 – so if you’re in the area and want to get your hands on Jacob Zuma Speaks (let’s not forget, you must also have the money), pop by at McDonald’s, on the corner of Grayston and Rivonia.

In a poster advertising the book, the publishers Xarra Books write: “Much has been said about President Jacob Zuma, most of which casts him in a negative light. This is often deliberate. The effect has been to airbrush out history any positive contribution he has made. Jacob Zuma Speaks attempts to provide the necessary historical balance.”

Given the life that Zuma has led, the book would probably be a good (and quick) read. Whether it’s those jaw-dropping state capture revelations, his controversial rape trial as well as the controversy that has characterised his nine years in office – whoever wrote the book surely didn’t run on material. According to Manyi, the book is about clarifying much of what has been said about Msholozi.

“A lot has been said about His Excellency President Zuma, a lot of falsehoods, a lot of untruths have been told. This book is about setting the record straight, it’s got verbatim accounts of people that today are very quiet, yet they have said a lot of flowery stuff during those nine years. This book is really going to reveal a lot. A lot of things have been said and we hope that everyone, before you comment on anything, please read this book and then we’re ready to take comments thereafter,”

Mzwanele Manyi, spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation