The first time Jacob Zuma issued a public apology, it was as if a breath of fresh air swept through the corridors of power. Finally, a politician who was willing to admit that he was wrong. A politician who was willing to humble himself before the nation and take responsibility for his actions.

Following the rape trial in which Jacob Zuma made the statement that he showered to reduce the chances of contracting HIV after having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman, Zuma issued the following public apology.

"I wish to state categorically and place on record that I erred in having unprotected sex. I should have known better and I should have acted with greater caution and responsibility. For this, I unconditionally apologise to all the people of this country."

It was, without a doubt, a well-worded apology. But it did not come without a little prompting and an initial dose of denial. Before issuing the apology, in response to a question posed by a reporter, this is what Jacob Zuma had to say about his infamous shower comment.

"But if you've been in the kitchen, my dear, peeling onions, you wash your hands, not so? What was funny about washing my hands after doing something? What's the problem?"

Strike two

The second time Jacob Zuma issued an apology, doubt began to niggle at the back of the collective national psyche. Was the apology genuine or had the charming politician simply realised that an apology was almost as good as a 'get out of jail free' card?

This time, Zuma was forced to apologise about comments he made about homosexuals and same-sex marriages. Speaking at Heritage Day celebrations in 2006, Zuma said that same-sex marriages were a "disgrace to the nation and God".

"When I was growing up an ungqingili [a gay person] would not have stood in front of me. I would knock him out."

Following the outcry from the gay and lesbian community, Zuma issued what could pass for an apology, albeit a contrived one.

"I said the communal upbringing of children in the past was able to assist parents to notice children with different social orientation. I, however, did not intend to have this interpreted as a condemnation of gays and lesbians."

It is hard to imagine how Zuma's words could have been interpreted as anything but a condemnation of gays and lesbians and his half-hearted apology does little to admit wrongdoing, express remorse, or promise a change behaviour in the future.

Strike three? and you're out!

The third time Jacob Zuma issued an apology, the ANC implored us to respect his "integrity and honesty", opposition politicians begrudgingly admitted that he had finally done the right thing, and the National Interfaith Leaders Council declared him "absolved" and demanded public forgiveness.

The public was somewhat less than forgiving.

Forgiveness is indeed an admirable quality, but there is a point when apologies begin to ring hollow. There is a point when the public begins to doubt the sincerity of the individual delivering the apology. A point when it becomes necessary to brand the apologetic leader a hypocrite.

When he was forced to apologise for a second time for his irresponsible sexual behaviour, Jacob Zuma hit this point. Again, the apology only came when there was no other way out of the situation. It only came three months after the birth of the child, when the story, which was exposed in the press, resulted in a public outcry.

Even then, this was the best that Jacob Zuma could muster:

"I deeply regret the pain that I have cause to my family, the ANC, the alliance and South Africans in general. [?] I reiterate that I took responsibility for my actions towards the family concerned and the child."

But what of your responsibility to the nation? What of your responsibility to behave in a manner that is transparent, honest and responsible? How, Mr President, do you plan to repair that breach of trust? More importantly, why should we, the public, ever trust you again?

The most recent saga in Jacob Zuma's eventful love life brings to mind a quote from an interview that Zuma had with the journalist RW Johnson in October 2006. He said:

"Honesty is always the best policy. I don't feel comfortable if I'm not honest. There are plenty of politicians who have mistresses and children that they hide so as to pretend they're monogamous. I prefer to be open. I love my wives and I'm proud of my children."

Well, Mr President, you must be feeling pretty uncomfortable right about now.