Johannesburg – In a deeply personal and revealing episode of her show, “Timeline with LaConco,” media personality Nonkanyiso Conco, known to many as LaConco, has made a heartfelt plea to her former lover, ex-President Jacob Zuma: apologise for the pain and broken promises of their relationship.
LaConco, in the second episode of her show, said that her former lover Jacob Zuma did her dirty, and now she wants him to apologise for making empty promises.
Speaking candidly about the aftermath of their break-up, LaConco revealed the emotional and financial toll the relationship took on her, stating that she was left to pick up the pieces and rebuild her life from scratch.
“I was shocked; I was in denial; I created excuses, but eventually I accepted. I had to move from Ballito to my mother’s place,” said LaConco, describing the immediate aftermath of the split.
The former reality star recounted how she had to return to her mother’s home in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, to recover from the turmoil. “I had to start from scratch and accept that things have changed; I no longer have the support I once enjoyed,” she explained.
LaConco revealed that she has not been herself since 2018.
“I was broke, and I was starting from scratch. The relationship put me in a position to instantly survive. I never mourned because there was so much I had to face.”
The strain of the situation became so overwhelming that LaConco sought professional help. “At some point I had to go to a mental institution and consult with psychiatrists and psychologists to reset my system. The problems started in 2018, and he just stopped calling,” she confessed.
Adding to her pain, LaConco claims that Zuma now refuses to even take her calls, leaving their child longing for contact with his father.
“Sometimes the child would miss him and ask me to call him. I’d call him, but deep down I already know he’s not going to answer the call. But I call so the child can see for himself,” she said, adding that she will always respect Zuma because he paid Lobola for her.
Despite the hurt and disappointment, LaConco extended a message of forgiveness to Zuma, while still emphasising the need for him to acknowledge the wrongs he has committed.
“I forgive you; honestly, JZ, I forgive you. You do know that I’ve always wished nothing but the best for you. I want you to thrive and fly high. Even under these circumstances I forgive you,” she declared.
However, LaConco made it clear that forgiveness does not equate to forgetting. She directly addressed Zuma, expressing her desire for a sincere apology for the emotional distress she has endured.
“I just want him to apologise for all the wrongs he did to me. When I met him, I was a young innocent virgin, and he deflowered me,” LaConco stated, pulling no punches.
She continued, “He said he wants to build a family with me, but that never happened. He made a lot of promises, and he didn’t fulfil any of them. Now I’m raising a child all by myself. He must apologise for that while he still has time.”
LaConco also criticised people who judged her for dating the former statesman.
“It’s unfair for people to think I was dating him for money. In fact, I gained nothing from that relationship,” she said, adding that she is done with Zuma.
LaConco insists that her relationship with Zuma was not motivated by financial gain, dismissing the accusations levelled against her. “I gained nothing from that relationship,” she asserted, making it clear that she is now moving on with her life.
Despite the pain, LaConco maintains that she does not regret the relationship, but feels that hearing Zuma’s voice and receiving an apology would bring her a sense of closure.
“I don’t regret anything, but hearing his voice would make things better. He embarrassed me in front of the whole world,” she said.
LaConco believes that Zuma is being influenced by negative forces.
She continued: “It’s difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you, especially if you’ll be seeing him often; it takes a lot. Last year, I went to his homestead, and asked him what happened, but he couldn’t answer.
“I asked him if I did anything wrong, but he couldn’t answer me. I held my tears back because I knew that breaking down in front of him wasn’t going to help.
“It’s a tap and go situation. I know he is surrounded by bitter people, but I’ve accepted.”
At the time of publication, Zuma’s spokesperson, Jimmy Manyi, had not responded to requests for comment from Sunday World regarding LaConco’s statements. The nation now awaits a response from the former president, as LaConco’s plea for an apology resonates with many who have experienced heartbreak and unfulfilled promises.
