The first – unauthorised – biography of ANC president Jacob Zuma, a man whose name is synonymous with controversy and drives South African politics, provides an insight into his upbringing, liberation activism, character, thinking and way of life.

According to biographer Jeremy Gordin, his subject was “very, very pleasant and co-operative” when he conducted interviews for the book. The end result takes the reader to Zuma’s childhood, his relationship with his friend-turned-arch-rival dethroned former President Thabo Mbeki; Zuma’s rise and fall only to rise again in mind-boggling fashion.

Such has been Zuma’s gravity-defying ascent to power that Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande says Zuma has graduated from being a political leader to what he terms “social phenomenon”.

In Gordin’s own words, “Since being made (by the ANC) President-in-waiting in December 2007 (at the Polokwane conference), he (Zuma) has become the epicentre of the country’s political turmoil”.

Contrary to popular belief, the biography reveals, Zuma taught himself to read and write in Nkandla, not on Robben Island. “The media always report that I learned to read and write on Robben Island. Maybe they think it’s romantic,” Zuma points out.

Deprived of formal education, Zuma took it upon himself to set up a night school, which he could attend after his normal cattle herding duties.

In 1990 Zuma was quoted by the Helen Suzman Foundation as saying: “If you are determined to educate yourself, it is possible – I’ve done it. People without formal education are looked down upon and often feel shy. But I am one of the few exceptions. Education is education, whether it is formal or not. Without education one is like a warrior without weapons”.

While on Robben Island (for conspiracy to overthrow the apartheid regime) for 10 years, not once did he have a visitor. This, says Gordin, made him (Zuma) a very strong person, contributed to his ability to withstand adverse public opinion and weather storms that would crush a normal person.

After his release, Zuma went back to his liberation activities. He was an Umkhonto We Sizwe (ANC’s armed wing) intelligence chief and developed a close relationship with the “militarily trained” Mbeki. In fact, it was Mbeki who taught Zuma how to use a gun. Ironically, Mbeki dejectedly watched as Zuma belted out his trademark song Awulethe uMshini Wami in Polokwane after winning the bruising ANC presidential race.

The biography shows that Zuma and Mbeki had always been close. Zuma would always willingly play a second fiddle to “The Chief”. But the events of June 2005 changed all that. Mbeki fired Zuma in the wake of the conviction of Schabir Shaik, Zuma’s former financial advisor.

This period marked the emergence of Zuma as Mbeki’s nemesis.

According to the book, it’s Zuma’s lack of financial acumen that landed him in trouble in the form of Shaik, a convicted fraudster found to have sought to buy Zuma’s influence. Gordon reckons Zuma would have a “very difficult” time if he were to face the on-and-off arms deal-related trial.

Zuma, by Jeremy Gordin, is published by Jonathan Ball.

With acknowledgements to The Citizen.