'I'm Not for Revenge'.(International Edition; INTERNATIONAL)(Jacob Zuma)(Interview)

Byline: Karen MacGregor

South Africa's presumptive next president on his legal battles, Zulu identity and learning to forgive.

Millions of South Africans head to the polls this week in the country's fourth democratic presidential election. But 15 years after the fall of apartheid, the nation feels increasingly under threat. The ruling African National Congress is split, brain drain is sapping the economy and the leading contender for president, 67-year-old Jacob Zuma, is a divisive figure known mostly for corruption and rape charges he's spent the last decade battling. Zuma overcame his last legal challenges earlier this month, but many South Africans worry he's not up to the task ahead. He spoke with NEWSWEEK's Karen MacGregor this month, just days after his court victory.

MacGregor: Many people believe you are a victim of a political conspiracy. But others believe you got away with an infringement.

Zuma: It's not true, it's not many people. It is few people who are able to write articles. The majority [was] celebrating all over the country. They think justice has been done, because they know that my rise has been interfered with. I have been saying for a number of years now there was a political conspiracy. But I don't have ill feelings. I'm not going for revenge.

What book are you reading, if you have time?

[Laughs] I'm reading a few books at the same time. One is "The Dream Deferred" [by Mark Gevisser]. I'm also reading "Zuma: A Biography." Not that I read too much.