Jacob Zuma blames Christianity for South Africa’s problems
Jacob Zuma is at the center of a religious storm in South Africa after reportedly blaming the introduction Christianity in the 19th century for the continent’s current problems
South African President Jacob Zuma
By Barney Henderson
Daily Telegraph
Mr Zuma, South Africa’s first Zulu president, told an event in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal that Christianity brought about “orphans” and “old-age homes” thereby destroying Africa’s traditions, according to South Africa’s Times newspaper.
“As Africans, long before the arrival of religion and [the] gospel, we had our own ways of doing things,” he said.
“Those were times that the religious people refer to as dark days but we know that, during those times, there were no orphans or old-age homes. Christianity has brought along these things.”
Mr Zuma’s office later issued a statement saying that his comments had been reported in a “misleading manner” and were aimed at ensuring South Africans do not neglect African culture.
“While we should embrace western culture and Christianity, we should not neglect the African ways of doing things,” said Mac Maharaj, presidency spokesman.
However, South Africa’s Council of Churches has said it was “deeply disappointed”.
Dilemma X 
December 22, 2011 at 9:34 am
It’s sort of deep, somehow a valid arguement. I can understand where he is coming from. Wish he had explained it better to avoid being misquoted. But Christianity brought good things too, including helping to preserve the life of people like him. Or he may still argue that Christianity/western infilteration into Africa put in the bondage that almost castrated him and the likes of the great, Mandela. He is an intelligent man. Pretty arguement
December 22, 2011 at 9:38 am
Amen I agree 1001%. And wherever Saudi Arabia went it destroyed cultures and stole their intellect and resources. TO TRUTH: 2012 YEAR OF TRUTH
December 22, 2011 at 10:08 am
Arrant nonsense.
What is this man saying? That we should neglect our orphans or old people?
You better wake up to your responsibilities.
January 12, 2012 at 8:51 pm
No, no, no, what he is referring to is the fact that the young take care of their parents & other family members, and that was traditional, until recent times, not that it was wiped out, of course, but this is what His Excellency means to say, that old traditions were largely scrapped, & religion has divided peoples who were once united before, etc. He has every right to criticise what religions have done to destroy traditional cultures, or in this case, the cultures of South Africa. I mean, look into the past that Africa had to suffer, like what the Europeans did to Africans in the past centuries.. Colonise them, treat them like slaves, put unto the trusteeship, etc. The criticism isn’t all nonsense from out of nowhere. You might want to look more into that, if you want to understand where Jacob Zuma is coming from, or all of Africa in-general, rather than just labelling them as “crazies”, :backwards people”, and see them as “ingrates.” It it the fault of the Europeans who did this to Africa, and brought the root causes as to why modern Africa, as a continent, and it’s peoples in the countries of Africa, continue to suffer & struggle, all while suffering still by the neo-colonial policies of the U.S. & The European countries, the former colonisers.They still do this today, I mean, look what happened in 2011, a recent year, for example… The UN & France practically kidnapped the preseident of the Ivory Coast Noriega-style (So much for UN being non-interventionalist in internal affairs), what the U.S./NATO did to Libya, it was criminal, tried to take Gaddafi away from Africa, but failed to actually kill him,really, U.S. sending troop advisers in to Uganda, possibly to the Congo, & who knows elsewhere, and you call the rest of the world that’s not the U.S./Europe wrong? Like I said, you should really look more into the continent of Africa, rather than just saying such nonsense.
December 22, 2011 at 10:44 am
It’s true Christianity is now religion, that was exported from Europe to Africa ….It’s founder The Messiah brought a rule = dominion [ Isaiah 9 : 5 – 7 ] – was born as a Prince and now He is a king….His Kingdom has all in common like all Kingdom’s that existed before in Africa…..the truth is now coming out that all his message was about Kingdom, not enslaving people with religion…..religion has been the source of all controversies and war’s around the world…..
December 22, 2011 at 12:16 pm
STOP TEACHING BLACK BABIES CHRISTIANITY!
December 22, 2011 at 12:16 pm
He said what has been known for years.
December 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm
We need more people to stand and speak truth to power!
December 22, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Finally an African with some sense in his head
December 22, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Happy New Year 2012
Dr Fassassi A; F. O.
December 22, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Christianity is white supremacy in religion. Our ancestors were from Africa and were not named Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve. Notice to all Christians: Stop selling white supremacy to black people.
January 1, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Amen Agree 1000%
December 22, 2011 at 6:53 pm
he speaks the truth!…This society and and entire world is becomming pc senstive and biootch!
December 22, 2011 at 8:00 pm
It would be a shame if President Zuma doesn’t receive the “most rational” award of the year.
December 23, 2011 at 6:07 am
Speak the truth!
December 24, 2011 at 4:09 am
yeah that is what i believe too. befor them come to africa we knew GOD and they came saying that we were in dark days . christianit was a tool of taking away all what we had. our believe, our culture , our names , our resources i mean everything we own there are all gone . now we do not even know whom we are
muhizi
December 25, 2011 at 12:09 am
Stand strong African brother. You are right in your words.
January 3, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Why should they “embrace western culture and Christianity”? It has only brought suffering and poverty every where else in the world. Christianity is the evillest thing ever perpetrated on these and other peoples. The missionary’s have a lot to answer for. Dark days indeed..
January 5, 2012 at 2:12 am
I agree with Zuma (for once) but on a global scale. The forced spread of Christianity throughout the world destroyed many cultures and driven many others to the brink of extinction.
All religions are equally important in South Africa. Traditional African, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan and many others… all are vital to the lifeblood of our country, a part of our Rainbow Nation, and respect for all is the law, according to the constitution. All need to be understood and accepted.
January 16, 2012 at 11:01 am
Yes, celebrate African Sprituality. Christianity, has no place in Africa or among Black people whatsoever. We must go back to our ways! Take chrisitantiy and white jesus and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine!