The ‘Nathi Mthethwa is Zuma’s son’ rumours that just won’t go away

There is a persistent rumour that has been circulating on Twitter so often that it’s almost gained the veneer of being an accepted fact – and that is that Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa is President Jacob Zuma’s son.

The rumour, which dates from at least 2011 on Twitter, appears to be based primarily on claims that the president and Mthethwa have strikingly similar features, while Zuma allegedly dated Mthethwa’s mother in the 1960s.

However, the rumour cannot possibly be true since the president was, from 1963 to 1973, imprisoned on Robben Island. For the 10 years that he was on Robben Island, Zuma never received a single visitor. His mother, a domestic worker, was unable to afford the fare, according to SA History Online.

Mthethwa was born in 1967.

Have a look at the remarkable resemblance for yourself though:

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The rumour has again resurfaced following the president’s Cabinet reshuffle last week, with people wading in with their theories to explain how and why Zuma appointed, shuffled and fired ministers.

Mthethwa, who remained the arts and culture minister despite last week’s purge, is married to businesswoman Philisiwe Buthelezi Mthethwa, who, according to the rumours, is the sister of the new deputy minister of finance, Sifiso Buthelezi.

Yoh! As if Zuma doesn’t have enough children already, Twitter is determined to make the family tree even bigger.

This is what people have been saying on the social media network through the years:

Zuma's son, Nathi Mthethwa now has his brother-in-law as new Finance Deputy Minister

— The Prince (@WaGoDihomolela) March 30, 2017

My conspiracy theorist friend is obsessed with the idea of Nathi Mthethwa being Zuma's son. It's all I have to listen to these days 😭

— Shezi (@__Shezi) March 28, 2016

Ok now I believe the clains that Nathi Mthethwa is Zuma's son.

— Ntombifuthi Ntuli (@futhigirl) June 28, 2015

Zuma says Nathi Mthethwa & Buffalo acted accordingly just like his son who killed a woman in Sandton & matter is nw wrapped under the carpet

— Dr_Narri (@Narril_dihno) June 24, 2015

Twoogle RT @Sieba_: Nathi Mthethwa is Zuma's son ne guys?

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‘We sleep very peacefully’ – Former speaker Baleka Mbete on Zuma and MK party threat

— Sunshine 🌻 (@LowLa_NewYork) March 21, 2015

Nathi Mthethwa is Zuma's son ne guys?

— Sibabalwe (@Sieba_) March 21, 2015

https://twitter.com/kaerubie/status/410073114090156032

@ralphmathekga @BoboJarvis .Zuma's 2 wives and son attended the Guptas wedding with Nathi Mthethwa.

— Ladybug (@zafpeb) May 5, 2013

Nathi Mthethwa and Jacob Zuma!! No father and son relation? Really? They look soo alike..

— Lally Dladla (@LallyDladla) September 14, 2011

Other people who are related to the president, according to the rumours, are Eskom chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane, and former police minister Nathi Nhleko (now the minister of public works), whose father is apparently Zuma’s brother from KwaMaphumulo in KwaZulu-Natal.

A list of new ministers has been circulating on Facebook showing how most of them are from KwaZulu-Natal, leaving those who shared it alleging that tribalism is alive and well in government.

Find the list below:

SA President – KZN

Minister of Justice – KZN

What do you think?

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