Duduzane Zuma says South Africans should be grateful for the contribution his father, former president Jacob Zuma, has made to the country. Speaking at a Biznews conference, Duduzane said his father had helped prevent “revolts” by guiding people through difficult periods. He said Jacob Zuma continued to have a role to play as a leader and elder.
“A lot of people look to him for guidance, for leadership as a statesman, as an elder in the community. Now, what he has done is, as someone who has created opportunities for the black majority in this country, he has held people back and said, ‘We will get through this.
“He has spoken them through it; he has guided them through it.
“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 Zuma Defends Family’s Role In MK Party
Duduzane was recently appointed as his father’s first deputy president at a press conference. He addressed criticism directed at the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) over the involvement of members of the Zuma family in the party. He said his focus was on his responsibilities within the organisation.
“I am here to do my job, that’s it. I am here to create exactly what you think, to create a better country. I am here to move the country forward. I am here to make sure that everyone’s rights are respected and that everyone has fair opportunity.”
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Duduzane also defended the MK Party’s policies amid criticism that it lacks proper political structures. He said the party wanted those controlling the country’s wealth to “meet” apartheid victims halfway and transform the economic landscape.
Duduzane Zuma Predicts MK Party Growth Ahead Of 2029
Duduzane said he believes the MK Party is positioned to take control of several municipalities in the upcoming local government elections. He also said the party would grow as it prepares for the 2029 general elections. His comments come as the party continues to face scrutiny over its political organisation and policies.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula recently criticised Jacob Zuma over his alleged involvement in state capture and the looting of state resources during his presidency. The criticism followed Zuma’s visit to India to see one of the Gupta brothers, who have been identified as fugitives in South Africa.
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Some within the ANC have described Zuma’s time in office as “nine wasted years”. Mbalula also referred to the Zondo Commission and the unrest that followed Zuma’s arrest.
“We are sitting here, we had the Zondo Commission, himself he ran away at lunchtime…and there were riots in this country that cost lives, that hammered our economy,” he said.
