President Jacob Zuma should be forgiven and the nation should "move on", the National Interfaith Leaders Council (NILC) said on Monday.

"Let us leave this episode behind us, regrettable as it is, and move on as a nation," a council statement read.

"The NILC calls for prayer for our president and his family and for healing and forgiveness in what has been a difficult week for the nation."

They said since Zuma had apologised and "confessed" after news broke that he had fathered a child with a girlfriend, faith dictated he be absolved.

"It is now up to us as South Africans whether we want to inflict further pain or offer forgiveness."

They encouraged all South Africans to "reciprocate the president's openness and humility on this matter with grace and mercy".

Last week the Sunday Times broke the news that Zuma had fathered a child with Sonono Khoza, a marketing specialist, and daughter of World Cup local organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza.

After an initial period of insisting it was a private matter, the presidency broke its silence and confirmed the report was true.

Many of the opinions expressed on the matter centred on the country's HIV/Aids policies and the promotion of condom use, as well as whether it was acceptable to have relationships outside a polygamous marriage.

His spokesman Zizi Kodwa said it was a matter between two consenting adults but then Zuma issued a statement apologising to his family, the ANC and the country.

"I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the Alliance and South Africans in general," he said in a statement.