Cape Town – Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, says South Africans should be grateful for his father’s contribution to the country, claiming the former president has helped prevent social unrest by guiding communities through difficult periods.
Speaking this week at a BizNews conference, Duduzane said his father remained a respected figure who many South Africans continued to look to for guidance and leadership.
“A lot of people look to him for guidance, for leadership as a statesman, as an elder in the community,” Duduzane said.
He argued that Zuma had played a role in creating opportunities for black South Africans and had encouraged people to remain patient during challenging times.
Duduzane said his father had helped “hold people back” from revolts by speaking to communities, guiding them through difficulties and encouraging them to believe that the country could overcome its challenges.
“He is here to do it once again, and we should hope that he will be here for a much longer time,” he said.
Duduzane also said he was focused on contributing towards building a better South Africa, saying his goal was to move the country forward while ensuring that people’s rights were respected and that opportunities were fairly distributed.
His comments come as the MK Party, led by his father, continues to position itself as a major political force ahead of the upcoming local government elections and the 2029 general elections.
Despite criticism that the party lacks established political structures, Duduzane defended its policies, saying the party wanted those controlling the country’s wealth to meet the victims of apartheid halfway and help transform South Africa’s economic landscape.
He expressed confidence that the MK Party could take control of several municipalities in the upcoming local government elections and continue growing ahead of 2029.
However, political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast, told The Citizen that Duduzane would need to develop a deeper understanding of politics if he intended to one day succeed his father as leader of the party.
Breakfast questioned Duduzane’s political experience and ability to articulate a coherent political position.
“Politics is different cattle of fish to understand politics. It takes a great deal of time,” Breakfast said, adding that he had not heard Duduzane clearly articulate a particular political view.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
