Her rise to riches has raised concerns about political nepotism at the renamed department of telecommunications and postal services. It appears the post was never advertised, although ministers have the prerogative to make these appointments without going through the normal processes. Several departments do advertise such posts to ensure they attract the best-qualified candidates.
Thuthukile is the youngest of the president’s four daughters with ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former Cabinet minister who is currently chairperson of the African Union Commission.
According to the report in the M&G a chief of staff position requires “extensive management experience, an understanding of ministerial services and parliamentary functions to take charge of the overall management of the ministry, knowledge of the Public Service Management Framework and Public Finance Management Act”.
Zuma’s little girl completed her undergraduate BA degree in 2011. She worked – or “volunteered” – at the ruling party’s headquarters for a while and then joined the State Security Agency and spent less than a year there.
She received an honours degree in anthropology in June 2012.
After the elections in May Thuthukile moved from the State Security Agency to the new telecommunications ministry where she was soon promoted by the new minister – Zuma loyalist Siyabonga Cwele – himself.
