South African President Jacob Zuma has caused racial and cultural stir by saying spending money on buying a dog, taking it to the vet and for walks belonged to white culture and was not the African way, which was to focus on the family.

There was a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt other lifestyles and even trying to look like others, he said.

“Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white,” Zuma said.

He said black people should stop adopting the habits of other cultures.

Zuma described people who loved dogs more than people as “having a lack of humanity”.

On marital problems, Zuma said families should resolve issues instead of running to religious leaders. Young people should also respect each other, he said.