“His English Is Somehow Better”: SA Questions Jacob Zuma’s Education After Seeing 1994 Video

• Many South Africans questioned former president Jacob Zuma's educational background after watching a video of the politician articulating the issues that oppressed people faced
• According to many sources, Zuma had no formal schooling, but organised a night school for himself and his friends
• Social media users took to the comment section to express their thoughts and share how surprised they were after seeing the TikTok clip

A viral throwback video of former President Jacob Zuma answering questions during a pre-election debate in 1994 made the rounds on the internet. South Africans were surprised to hear Zuma's contributions to the conversation and wondered about the truth behind his educational background.

The video, which was posted by the TikTok account @issues_are_many on 23 July, 2025, saw Zuma discussing the lack of housing, divided racial education, and unemployment. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) hosted the debate.

The former African National Congress (ANC) member noted that he would address the issues mentioned above and informed the crowd:

Read also

Dr Malusi Gigaba calls for postponement of National Dialogue, South Africans divided over his appeal

"We have worked on a programme of reconstruction and development which seeks to address the very same question. The promises we are making, and I think should be clear, are that there is no party in the past in this country that has addressed the problems of the majority of the oppressed people."

What is Jacob Zuma's educational background?

According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation website, Zuma had no formal schooling but received help from his cousins in learning how to read. Thereafter, he borrowed books to educate himself.

The South African History Online website notes that while his peers attended school, Zuma would herd his grandfather's cattle. He also took the initiative to arrange a night school for himself and his friends. He approached a woman with a Grade 6 education to provide him with tuition, paying her 25 cents.

According to The Presidency's website, the University of Fort Hare, the University of Zululand, the Medical University of Southern Africa, and the University of Limpopo awarded Zuma honorary doctorates. International tertiary institutions, such as the University of Zambia, also awarded the controversial politician an honorary doctorate in 2009.

Read also

Jabulani Khumalo takes MK Party to Constitutional Court, SA weighs in on latest leadership battle

Furthermore, Zuma has honorary degrees from the American University of Nigeria, the University of Abomey-Calavi of Benin, and Texas Southern University. He also received an Honorary Professorship from China's Peking University.

South Africans question Jacob Zuma's education

Several local social media users took to the comment section, puzzled by what they had seen on their For You Pages. Because many South Africans view Zuma as uneducated and saw how 'poorly' he conducted himself in Parliament, hearing him address important issues made them sceptical about his educational background.

@nathimtshali2 noted with a laugh:

"How did we believe that Baba was uneducated? Eyi, ngoba mainstream media will sell you dreams."

@laronaelkwapa told people on the internet:

"I'm not convinced that Zuma didn't go to school."

@sizwe_sw.nutrition wrote in the comment section:

"He was sharp in his younger years. Fluent."

A curious @iamtheprinces6 asked:

"What happened to him? He sounds clever here."

Read also

MK Party condemns Gayton McKenzie's racist remarks, calls for an investigation into his alleged criminal ties

@mfana0450 said in the comments:

"His English is somehow better than today."

@jakarumba5 shared their thoughts about the video, writing:

"And as soon as he was made president, he built himself a house costing R250 million."

@vusimahlaule added their opinion under the post:

"This guy might not be perfect, but trust me, he tried, shem. Credits have to be given where due. This guy is way better than the present nonsense."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about Jacob Zuma

• In another article, Briefly News reported that the South African government criticised the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party leader when he misused the South African flag during his Moroccan trip.
• A picture of Zuma and two of his teenage children sparked intrigue among South African social media users. The known polygamist reportedly has 21 children.
• On 12 April, 2025, the politician celebrated his 83rd birthday with his family in Nkandla. One of Zuma's daughters captured the moment she sang Happy Birthday to him.

Source: Briefly News