JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) — President Jacob Zuma of South Africa apologized Saturday for fathering an illegitimate child, in the face of national outcry.

Critics say that Mr. Zuma, a Zulu traditionalist who practices polygamy and currently has three wives and 20 children, including the child he fathered with another woman, has set a bad example in a country with one of the world’s highest rates of H.I.V./AIDS.

“I have over the past week taken time to consider and reflect on the issues relating to a relationship I had outside of wedlock,” Mr. Zuma said in a statement on Saturday, acknowledging that it “has been a subject of much public discussion and debate.”

He said: “It has put a lot of pressure on my family and my organization, the African National Congress. I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the A.N.C., the Alliance and South Africans in general.” He said he reaffirmed his commitment to “the importance of the family as an institution.”

On Tuesday, Mr. Zuma, who married for the fifth time recently, confirmed reports that he had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, whose father leads the nation’s World Cup organizing committee.

Ms. Khoza gave birth to a girl in October. The presidency has said previously that Mr. Zuma has 19 children. Mr. Zuma said Tuesday that he had formally acknowledged paternity and made a traditional payment of inhlawulo to Ms. Khoza’s family.

via Reuters