Jacob Zuma. CC image courtesy of Government ZA on Flickr.
The 25-year-old daughter of South African president Jacob Zuma, Thuthukile Zuma, has been appointed chief of staff at the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services, less than two years after graduating from university.
The Mail & Guardian reported today Ms Zuma was appointed chief of staff to minister Siyabonga Cwele’s office in May following the announcement of cabinet appointments, with Zuma having worked as a public liaison officer at Cwele’s previous ministry – the department of State Security – for less than a year.
“President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Thuthukile may have made history as South Africa’s youngest head of a minister’s office,” the Mail & Guardian reported.
“She now earns almost a million rand a year,” the newspaper said.
The report claims the post was never advertised, although it concedes public advertisement is not a requirement for the recruitment to the position of chief of staff.
According to the Mail & Guardian, advertisements for the position of chief of staff usually require a minimum of between five and 10 years experience at senior management level.
The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has responded to the report, saying Zuma’s appointment was based on “her capacity to do the job and her qualifications”.
“Thuthukile Zuma’s appointment… is consistent with the rules and regulations governing the appointment of people in government ministries,” spokesman Siya Qoza said.
“The minister only considered her capacity to do the job and her qualifications. Her genealogy was never a consideration.”
