South African President Jacob Zuma has apologised for fathering an illegitimate son, in the face of a national outcry.“I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC (African National Congress, the alliance and South Africans in general,” he said.
The baby girl was born last year to the daughter of a football executive.
Mr Zuma, aged 67, is a Zulu, a group which practises polygamy. He has three wives and 19 children.
Earlier this week, the president confirmed that he was having a relationship with Sonono Khoza - the 39-year-old daughter of World Cup official Irvin Khoza.
He said the matter was “intensely personal” but he had decided to make a public comment “after some careful deliberation”.