Jacob Zuma: President, Politician and Polygamist

JANUARY 6, 2010

B/G: South Africa's president Jacob Zuma married his fifth wife on Tuesday. Many have said his action is a disgrace to the modern society while others have expressed their support. As a public figure, his polygamous status has stirred controversy.

QN: Do you support/ not support polygamy? Does polygamy in Africa contribute to poverty?

Josephine Wangari, 30, Pharmacist, Kisauni.

Polygamy is not bad as long as one can support the wives financially. Whether it increases poverty levels depends on the number of children one decides to have with the wives. But it’s a big blow to such families when the bread winner dies because they are left to wallow in poverty and family wrangles.

Jackson Dapo, 21, Barber, Mshomoroni.

I do not support polygamy. Zuma married because he is a wealthy man. Ordinary men should shun polygamy because it will cause them a lot of strain in terms of taking care of the big family.

Even those who have enough money might not be able to meet other needs of the wives and children.

Polygamy has contributed to poverty in Africa because many rural families practice it yet the fathers are poor. Such families could be better off with fewer children.

Tom Mukungu, 52, Office Messenger, Kongowea

Zuma is marrying many wives because his Zulu culture allows him to do so and he is also rich. But the economic times we live in do not allow for such practices. I advice fellow Kenyan men to be faithful to one wife. Many polygamous men still cheat on their wives anyway. Polygamy has contributed very much to poverty in Africa because many women lazy around to look at one single man for their daily bread.

Eunice Kimoju, 46, Evangelist, Mikindani.

I do not support Polygamy because God forbids it in his holy book. Polygamy is never a blessing to any person regardless of whether they are rich or not. It’s a sin. It brings about rivalry amongst the wives hence their children live hating each other or blame their father for marrying the other wives. Africa is poor because of such practices. Every wife wants to steal from the man and the man has to direct all his resources into supporting the family.

Susan Achieng’, 30, Secretary, Changamwe

I support polygamy but a man should marry a maximum of only two wives. Financially stable men should add an extra wife because men are fewer than women yet every woman needs a man. Polygamy also reduces promiscuity. If limited to men who are financially stable, polygamy cannot contribute to poverty because many of the poor families involve widows and single mothers.

ENDS.