Zuma loves you, according to his ‘bittersweet’ Valentine’s message

Former President Jacob Zuma took to Twitter to post a Valentine’s Day message, seemingly aimed at South Africa as a whole.

“This day brings bittersweet memories for some of us but it also serves as a reminder that love always prevails,” Zuma tweeted.

What Zuma is likely referring to by “bittersweet memories” is the fact that he was stepped down as president on Valentine’s Day, exactly a year ago today, to preempt a vote of no confidence scheduled for that evening.

He added: “Love is the one thing that keeps us going even when we are faced with hardships.”

The former president ended his tweet with a message of love for us all.

“Today I send you all my love and say thank you for showing love. Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.

This day brings bitter sweet memories for some of us but it also serves as a reminder that love always prevails. Love is the one thing that keeps us going even when we are faced with hardships. Today I send you all my love and say thank you for showing love. Happy Valentine’s Day

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) February 14, 2019

It’s possible that Zuma’s Valentine’s message will find a receptive audience, as he is known for his romantic prowess.

One of his wives, Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, took to Instagram earlier in February to show off some roses she’d received from her husband.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btg1voxnF_A/?utm_source=ig_embed

Zuma recently shared a black-and-white professional photograph of himself at the age of 18 or 19 on Wednesday, saying it was taken shortly after he joined the ANC.

In the photo, he and his son Duduzane, who is known for being good looking and has many female fans, share a striking resemblance.

Zuma joined Twitter late last year.

The former president appears to have been on a charm offensive on the platform, and has earned support and a large following. Not everyone, however, believes that his motives on the platform are pure.

READ MORE: Picture of teenage Zuma trends as Twitter reckons he looked just like Duduzane

The Citizen reported at the time that some felt he had taken a leaf from Donald Trump’s book, using social media to remake his image as a “good guy” and gain public sympathy, while using it as the first step of a “fightback” strategy against his “enemies”.

And a major target for his “influencing” campaign is appears to be the youth on social media platform Twitter.

Reputational strategy expert Clive Simpkins said Zuma wanted to stay relevant by using social media to air his grievances.

“He has taken a leaf from Donald Trump’s book. He wants to stay relevant by using Twitter as a very powerful platform to fight back,” Simpkins said.

(Additional reporting by Eric Naki)

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