In the very-long run up to the elections, Zuma had the support of the Youth League, the Women's League and the alliance partners, Cosatu and SACP. They campaigned for him; they intimidated for him; they even threatened to 'kill' for him.
So, now that the big man is in office, what do they expect in return? And, more importantly, is Zuma willing to reward their loyalty?
Despite his many friends, President Zuma maintained that there would be no job for friends in his government. He promised to deploy hard-working men and women to serve the country.
Well, let's take a look at some of President Zuma's men to see if they are in his Cabinet and if they've earned those positions.
Fikile Mbalula
Mbalula has been a strong supporter of Jacob Zuma throughout his battle for the presidency. He made public appearances alongside Zuma and he even wrote an open letter to former president Thabo Mbeki accusing him of conspiring against Zuma.
He was also the manager of the ANC election campaign and it's fair to say that it was pretty successful. Mbalula has since been appointed as the deputy minister of police. Perhaps, Mbalula's willingness to take 'military action' secured him the post…
Tokyo Sexwale
In 1998 he resigned from politics and he focused on the corporate sector. Many have attributed the move to his rocky relationship with Thabo Mbeki. As one of South Africa's most well-known black businessmen, Sexwale is respected by a significant portion of South Africa's middle class.
He made a political comeback in 2007 — he briefly entertained the idea of becoming the next president but after it became clear that Jacob Zuma was the chosen one, Sexwale put his weight behind him.
He attended most of rallies and he made it clear that Zuma should be the next president. Once the premier of Gauteng, Sexwale is now the new Minister of Human Settlement formerly known as the housing department.
A more appropriate portfolio for him however may have been mining, as Harry Oppenheimer, the patriarch of Anglo-American and De Beers corporations, once praised him for having an understanding of the South African and the international diamond mining industry that few can equal.
Angie Motshekga
Angie Motshekga has been behind President Zuma all the way. It was she who rallied the Women's League behind Zuma ahead of Polokwane, before being elected president of the Women's League the following year.
Previously the MEC of Gauteng's provincial education department, Motshekga was fingered in a fraud scandal in 2004, but escaped largely unscathed.
Despite her infamous comment implying that academic achievements are not essential for good leadership, she is actually fairly well-qualified to be the minister of education. She taught at Orlando High School for three years and she was also a lecturer at the Soweto College of Education. She has a Masters Degree in Education.
Blade Nzimande
Communist party leader Blade Nzimande has been awarded for his loyalty. He was vocal in his support for the removal of Thabo Mbeki and he supported President Zuma throughout. He mobilised SACP members for the ruling party and he was quick to attack 'counter revolutionaries' who criticised President Zuma.
Nzimande has been appointed the Minister of Higher Education and Training. He has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the quality of our education.
With a doctorate in philosophy, specialising in sociology, Nzimande also has a strong educational background, having lectured at the University of Zululand and acted as the Director of Education Policy at the University of Durban.
Earlier this year the SACP said: "The view in the SACP is that since we now have a reconfigured alliance following Polokwane, the communist representation in the Cabinet should be led by the general secretary."
They went on to say: "We want him there (Nzimande). If we talk about change, it means that the new government should start by being inclusive of all the alliance components."
Even though Nzimande has all the necessary qualifications, his inclusion may have been a deal to please the vocal SACP.
The unlucky ones
Some individuals who were close to the president during the run-up to the elections, were not so lucky. Speculation was rife that they would be chosen for the new Cabinet, but things turned out a little differently — they just didn't make the cut.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
The once-almost-a-first-lady seems to have her eyes firmly on Msholozi. Erm… okay… make that lips. Twice. In what could be described by some as a passionate (if not clawing) embrace
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who has spent every post-election moment playing kiss-catch with Zuma, nominated him for the presidency stating that: "Many names and descriptions have been used to characterise him and the bookshelves have not witnessed the last of perspective about him. I would simply say that he's a capable leader that epitomises our continued and resilient struggle against the worst that humanity has to offer, and the hope that we as a nation shall triumph against all odds because of the best that collectively we can offer."
Unfortunately for Winnie, President Zuma decided not to include her in that collective.
Baleka Mbethe
Baleka Mbete, who has been a vocal Zuma supporter in the build-up to the elections, was appointed as deputy president of the country following Pumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's resignation.
Recently, she shocked the country when she remained in her seat during the swearing-in of MPs. Some have argued that she was eyeing the position of deputy president which she lost to Kgalema Motlanthe.
Mbete has since denied this, claiming she knew from the beginning that she was only an interim deputy until the general elections.
The ANC has since announced that she would be deployed in the Luthuli House to be the link between government and the ruling party.
It would seem that, while a couple of Zuma loyalists were left out in the cold, no group of support went un-thanked in his Cabinet. That being said, it is pretty tricky to establish whether the appointments were payback or continued strategic wrangling on the part of Zuma. They could, of course, simply have been the best men and women for the jobs.
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