Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube (born 10 October 1985) is a South African producer and actress. She is best known as the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma and his former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Gugulethu may have practically stolen the spotlight from her parents, but she is one of Africa’s best storytellers. She has been in the spotlight from childhood due to her family status, and it’s good to know that she could step out of her parent’s shadow to make name for herself in the entertainment industry.
Gugu, as she is fondly called, does not only boast an impressive resume. She has also made headlines for taking some actions most people felt were wrong. The daughter of influential politicians, Zuma-Ncube doesn’t hide her love for her parents and siblings. She is also loved by most TV viewers in South Africa, especially for her production prowess.
Summary of Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Biography
- Full name: Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 10 October 1985
- Place of Birth: Johannesburg,
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Age: 38 Years Old
- Ethnicity: African
- Nationality: South Africa
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Marital Status: Married
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Husband: Wesley Ncube (m. 2008)
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Children: Thuthukile Zuma, Msholozi Zuma
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Parents: Jacob Zuma and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
- Siblings: About 20, including her sisters Msholozi; Nokuthula Nomaqhawe; and Thuthukile
- Education: The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance
- Occupation: Actress, producer
- Popularly Known as: Jacob Zuma’s daughter
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Instagram: gugu_zuma_ncube
- Twitter: @GuguZuma
Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube Was Born In The Mid 80s
Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube arrived in the world in 1985 and was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. The particular month and year her parents gave birth to her are yet to be publicly disclosed. This beautiful woman hasn’t shared any information about her childhood, even though we know it was a memorable one, judging by her family’s status.
Being someone who cherishes her privacy, Gugulethu has shied away from talking about other aspects of her personal life and family background. The bubbly actress has three siblings – Msholozi (born 1982), Nokuthula Nomaqhawe (born 1987), and Thuthukile Zuma (born 1989).
Ncube holds a degree in Live Performance from the Johannesburg-based creative arts training school, AFDA. She graduated from the institution in 2007 and also launched her career in the same year. Apparently, her preparation to take charge in the entertainment industry paid off real quick.
The ever dazzling Gugulethu is a married woman. She met her husband, Wesley Ncube, in Cape Town as a law student at the University of Cape Town, and they eventually tied the knot in 2008. She dropped out of law school after she lost interest in the course, even though she has always wanted to be a lawyer since childhood.
She Is The Daughter Of South African Political Heavyweights
Being born by A-list parents means you’re pretty much guaranteed to be famous whether you follow in their footsteps or not. Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube is surrounded by high-profile personalities, especially those from the political class. Her mother is none other than the South African political bigshot, doctor, and human rights activist, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, while her father is former South African president, Jacob Zuma.
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma, also known as Msholozi, is a politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from May 9, 2009, to February 14, 2018. He previously served as the deputy president of South Africa between 1995 and 2005. Several controversies marred Zuma’s reign as the president of the country, and even now he has since resigned, he is yet to be fully free from the hook.
Born on April 12, 1942, in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal province, Jacob Zuma is currently a member of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). He and Gugulethu’s mother divorced in June 1988, after which he went ahead to marry other women. It is not known if Zuma influenced his daughter’s career path, but one thing we believe is that he is and has been a supportive father to his children.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma is one of the most powerful female politicians in Africa. She has served South Africa in various capacities; Nkosazana was the Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999 (under President Nelson Mandela), Minister of Foreign Affairs, (under both President Thabo Mbeki and President Kgalema Motlanthe), Minister of Home Affairs in the first term of former President Jacob Zuma, as well as Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission for Policy and Evaluation under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
She currently serves as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Nkosazana holds the record as the first woman to lead the African Union Commission as its chairperson. She assumed office in 2012 and was replaced five years later.
She was knocked out by Cyril Ramaphosa in the race for the position of President of the country’s ruling party, the ANC. Nkosazana, no doubt, played a role in her daughter’s successful journey to greatness, but it is difficult to tell how she managed to do so. What matters most, however, is that Gugulethu’s parents have been of great help to her personal life and professional career right from day one.
Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube’s Name Rings A Bell In SA’s Entertainment Industry
As mentioned earlier, Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube launched her career in 2007, the same year she completed her studies at AFDA. She has made appearances in several local productions, including Isidingo and Rhythm City.
The young lady was also part of the cast of the 2011 sitcom, It’s For Life. The work documents how about four 20-somethings found a squatter in their house. As a producer, she owns two notable production companies – Nyenyedzi Productions (which she co-owns with her sisters Thuthukile Zuma and Nokuthula Nomaqhawe) and Stained Glass Productions (which she co-owns with Kobedi Pokane). The latter co-produced the popular soap opera Uzalo for the SABC1 channel.
Fact: I can't help who my parents are. But what I have always done is to put my head down and I work harder than everyone around me. #Uzalo
— Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube (@guguzuma) July 10, 2016
Gugulethu’s earliest appearance in a film was in the 2006 short drama, Sindiswa. She did an outstanding job in the graduation film, which later bagged a nomination for the Student Academy Awards (Student Oscars) in Hollywood.
Ncube hasn’t been seen in films for many years. It appears she has retired from the filming set and is focusing on other behind-the-camera jobs. Apart from Uzalo, she and her team at Stained Glass Productions are the brains behind the shows eHostela and Ifelakhe.
She Has Been Caught In the web of Various Controversies
Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube has had her fair share of controversies in the past years. The multi-faceted TV maker drew criticism for her actions and involvements in some deals, which the public felt were inappropriate and insensitive. Let’s look at some of the controversial behaviors Ncube displayed.
1. Uzalo Scandal
Some time in 2015 and 2016, reports alleging that Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube benefitted unduly from nepotism for her television show Uzalo surfaced. She was said to have made a whopping R167 million through her deal with the SABC and R8 million from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
2. Volunteer Work At ANC Headquarters
In September 2011, Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube came under fire after reports emerged that she and her sister Thuthukile Zuma volunteered at the ruling party’s headquarter, Luthuli House. While some people claim that they were employed to be paid, some top ANC officers debunked the report, insisting that the sisters were only volunteers.
The ruling party official, through a circular, even asked more volunteers to join the sisters as they were short-staffed. At the time of this incident, Thuthu was a full-time student while Gugu’s career was newly launched. None of the sisters reacted to the outcry until everything fizzled out.
3. UIF Dispute
In June 2020, a restaurant co-owned by Guguthelu was embroiled in an Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) dispute. Workers at the place reported that they have not been paid their salary and that those who did, received theirs in small amounts.
The employees alleged that Gugu did not listen to their plea for them to be paid. In response, her business partners blamed the government and added that business pad workers from its purse before the UIF came through.
