President Jacob Zuma and his first wife Sizakele Khumalo. (Photo Courtesy GCIS)

Wilson Johwa — PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma 's apology to the nation for his latest sexual indiscretion appeared in danger of backfiring yesterday, as analysts and political opponents dismissed it as contrived and lacking substance.

Zuma's apology came ahead of a crucial week for him, as he prepares for Thursday's state of the nation speech amid accusations that his administration is in a state of torpor as a result of in-fighting in the African National Congress (ANC), and between the party and its allies.

Analysts said yesterday that Zuma had no choice but to apologise for fathering a child out of wedlock with the daughter of soccer boss Irvin Khoza, as there was great danger the scandal would overshadow Thursday's key speech, which has been moved to the evening to allow to allow maximum television viewership.

ANC officials are due this week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of former president Nelson Mandela's release from prison at various ceremonies in the Western Cape, culminating in Zuma's state of the nation speech on the actual day Mandela was freed in 1990.

After vigorously defending himself, Zuma bowed to pressure at the weekend and apologised -- his second apology in recent years for similar acts.

Siphamandla Zondi, a researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue, said it was "correct and unavoidable" for Zuma to have apologised, not just because it was expected but also to allow the focus to shift to more pressing national and international issues. The concern in the Presidency was that the attention being given to Zuma's sexual indiscretion would detract from his state of the nation speech.

The head of the Centre for Politics and Research, Prince Mashele, said Zuma wanted to have "something to hide behind so that he can say: 'I've apologised and we're moving forward.'"

However, Mashele said South Africans should not accept the apology, which was insincere, coming as it did after his initial defensive and "arrogant" statement. "This is a plastic apology and should not be accepted at all," Mashele said.

Mcebisi Ndletyana of the Human Sciences Research Council said the apology was not a bad thing, but it was disconcerting that it appeared to have come reluctantly. "He did not think he had done anything wrong, and that is more worrisome. Why would anyone not apologise for making a woman pregnant out of wedlock, more so a president who wants to discourage promiscuity?"

Zuma's apology came four days after a defensive statement in which he acknowledged fathering a four-month-old daughter with Sonono Khoza but largely blamed the media for publicity over what he said was a private matter.

Speculation was that the apology followed pressure from ANC leaders who feared Zuma's action would cost them support, amid public anger at his lifestyle.

Zuma had initially chosen not to say sorry, most likely fearing a comparison with the apology he made in 2006 when he was acquitted for rape. At the time, he admitted to having unprotected sex with the HIV-positive daughter of a former struggle comrade.

After two days of unplanned leave last week, Zuma was to meet party members in Paarl yesterday, to attend commemorative events in honour of Mandela. The matter was likely to be on the agenda of the party's national working committee meeting today.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the commemorative programme would continue throughout the Western Cape until Thursday. "We will be having a beehive of activities door to door, including cadre forums."