Very fast professional rise<\/h3>\n
Many people questioned Thuthukile Zuma\u2019s rise from an entry-level position of public liaison officer to chief of staff \u2013 earning nearly R1 million annually \u2013 in only one year.<\/p>\n
The Mail & Guardian reported that this meteoric rise \u201craised concerns about political nepotism at the renamed Department of Telecommunications and Postal services\u201d.<\/p>\n
The new minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele, was also the minister of state security where Thuthukile Zuma previously worked.<\/p>\n
Thuthukile Zuma versus other ministerial chiefs of staff<\/h3>\n
MyBroadband selected a few ministerial chiefs of staff from other departments to see how their age and qualifications compare with that of Thuthukile Zuma.<\/p>\n
What we found was that all of the surveyed chiefs of staff had a tertiary education, and were all between the ages of 40 and 65 (except for Thuthukile Zuma).<\/p>\n
![\"Ages](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Ages-of-chiefs-of-staff.jpg\")
<\/a>Ages of chiefs of staff<\/p><\/div>\n
Thuthukile Zuma versus other graduates<\/h3>\n
To assess how Thuthukile Zuma\u2019s professional progress compares with other BA Hons in anthropology graduates in South Africa, MyBroadband looked at the current positions of some of her peers.<\/p>\n
To protect their privacy, the identities of people listed in the infographic below are not exposed. Market related salaries were used for their current positions.<\/p>\n
![\"BA](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/BA-Hons-in-Anthropology-employment-levels.jpg\")
<\/a>BA Hons in Anthropology employment levels<\/p><\/div>\n
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services explains<\/h3>\n
MyBroadband asked the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services whether Thuthukile Zuma was the best choice available for the position of chief of staff.<\/p>\n
MyBroadband also asked the department how Thuthukile Zuma was able to gain the needed experience to become chief of staff so fast.<\/p>\n
Department spokesperson Siyabulela Qoza said that her contract appointment in the ministry was consistent with the rules and regulations governing the appointment of people in government ministries.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe holds an honours degree. Ms Zuma has worked with the Minister before. The Minister only considered her capacity to the job and her qualifications. Her genealogy was never a consideration,\u201d said Qoza.<\/p>\n
\u201cMs Zuma, just like all citizens, enjoys the freedom to participate in any economic activity, including being employed in government or the private sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article was first published on MyBroadband<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018How do we get rid of Zuma\u2019 article riles ANC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Public Protector looking at Zuma daughter appointment<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Give Zuma\u2019s daughter a chance: Mantashe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on Zuma<\/h3>\n