NOW that President Jacob Zuma has taken office there is something I need to get off my chest before every liberal soul (and conservatives) claim to have been a Zuma supporter from the start.

NOW that President Jacob Zuma has taken office there is something I need to get off my chest before every liberal soul (and conservatives) claim to have been a Zuma supporter from the start.

There are aspects of the hysteria that preceded his election for which I want to express support. For example, I can understand the concern about his possibly having taken bribes and then manipulated the legal system to escape prosecution.

I mean, how dare he play fast and loose with the law over such paltry sums as he is reputed to have received.

I also sympathise with the shock of having a president with several wives. I mean, it's not the number that shocks us, it's just that he has them all at the same time and everyone knows that civilised people have theirs one at a time (granted, sometimes with a little overlap).

Then there's the shocking incident with a maiden. I understand that even a man with three wives needs a little diversion but to do so without a condom causes understandable shock and horror.

I also want to express my solidarity with the South African church leaders who have shown him such unconditional adulation. After all, David was a great leader in the Bible and had many wives and also committed adultery .

All right, so I am being a little sarcastic! He might well prove to be a better leader than the confused British liberal whose place he has taken.

Marc Ambler, Durbanville