‘Just speculation’ says MKP on Duduzane joining party in leadership role

Former President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, is being primed to join the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and will assume a leadership role.

This is according to the sources interviewed by “The Mercury” following the appearance of Duduzane at the memorial service of six MKP members who died in a taxi crash on their way to Nkandla to celebrate Zuma’s wife’s birthday.

In videos shared on social media, Duduzane can be seen seated alongside his father at the memorial service.

However, the MKP has dismissed any suggestions that Duduzane will join the party, describing this as pure speculation.

Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma Sambudla (Duduzane’s twin) is already a party member and represents it as an MP, but her brother is seen as someone who has more political experience and can bridge the gap between the party and the country’s business community.

On Monday, Zuma-Sambudla was formally sworn-in as a member of the Pan-African Parliament.

A party source said discussions had taken place at the weekend over the role Duduzane could play in the MKP.

“It will not be long before this is announced, he has already hinted that he will be joining. He was convinced by a close friend to form his own party before the elections but realised that politics in the country is tough while the MKP, under Zuma, is up and running.”

Duduzane formed the All Game Changers (AGC) party prior to the elections but a month before the ballot, the party was removed from the national list by the Electoral Commission of South Africa, one reason being a lack of compliance with the registration processes.

The source said Duduzane has political experience, is highly intelligent and crucially has an excellent relationship with the business community.

“Duduzane is the potential future of the party and the former president is looking at one of his own taking the party forward, but this will not happen overnight, there will be a process.”

Another source said Duduzane is seen as a liberal “who does business with all races”, but will still be able to pursue radical policies like land redistribution while working with other political parties that share similar interests.

MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Duduzane is not a member of the party, describing his status as “unknown”.

“He was simply accompanying his father to the memorial service and people are just speculating.”

He said the party could not stop anyone from joining if they chose to.

“That is what MK is, anyone is free to join and we are all volunteers.”

Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu of the University of KwaZulu-Natal said it was not surprising that Duduzane had been linked with joining the MKP, although it was clear that Zuma would be the party leader for the foreseeable future.

Ndlovu said Zuma would remain the face of the party despite the party having put in place a senior leadership structure.

“If Duduzane joins then it will add to those who have suggested that the former president is creating a dynasty – if people have been paying attention they will have noticed that Duduzile is being groomed to be a leader and it will not be a surprise if Duduzane gets a leadership position, he won’t be an ordinary party member.”

Ndlovu said that after the elections, Zuma had appointed people who had not been part of the May 29 election campaign, such as former Judge John Hlophe and former CEOs of Prasa, Eskom and Transnet, as he ultimately made the decisions in the party.

“It is Zuma’s show and he will do as he pleases.”

The Mercury