President Jacob Zuma has cancelled his public engagements over the next two days so he can rest following a "hectic" schedule, his office said today.

"The President of the Republic, President Jacob Zuma will today and tomorrow 4-5 February, take time off to rest following a hectic schedule," a presidency statement said.

In the last week Zuma has travelled to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and an African Union meeting in Ethiopia and on his return, walked into a controversy over a child he fathered with a woman not his wife.

The president, who has three wives and a fiancee, confirmed he had a relationship with Sonono Khoza, daughter of World Cup local organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza and they had a child together last year.

The presidency and the ruling party had at first said it was a private matter, but Zuma then issued a statement confirming the Sunday Times report.

"I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal responsibility for our actions. I have done so," a statement issued on his behalf said.

"I have done the necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility, including the payment of inhlawulo to the family."

The gist of the criticism levelled at him was that his actions did not appear to be in line with government's HIV/Aids policies - a suggestion he disagrees with.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will deliver Zuma's opening address at the inaugural meeting of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Council in Pretoria on Thursday and a Friday credentials ceremony for new ambassadors has been moved to next week.