Jacob Zuma to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Pretoria
  • Last updated on

Former South African President created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Zuma fans. Speculation had been rife that the former South African President is about to announce his retirement from politics, at age 84, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 18/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJacob

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouJacob was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Jacob Zuma was unlike any other politician we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouJacob”
— @universalObserver, 17 May 2026
“Didn't Jacob Zuma retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 17 May 2026

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