The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has reorganised its leadership, shifting influence within the breakaway party founded by former South African president Jacob Zuma. Duduzane Zuma is now a member of the presidential leadership team, and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is a key figure in the party’s administration.
There have been varying reactions among MKP members to Duduzane Zuma’s recent membership in the party’s Presidential Task Team, which is meant to assist party president Jacob Zuma with day-to-day leadership chores. Since Duduzane has been taking on more responsibilities for the party in public and within organisations, some perceive this as a strategy for his eventual successor. At the same time, the party’s primary contact for legislative issues is Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is close to her father and was a member of parliament herself.
Her position inside the MKP’s administrative operations has been confirmed, even though she resigned from her position as a member of parliament late last year due to scandal. According to party leadership, she is still the official to contact when engaging with lawmakers since she is the designated signature for correspondence with Parliament. As a result of the change in leadership, important party positions have also changed.
As a symptom of a larger power shift, Magasela Mzobe—who was previously head of the MKP presidency and a close Zuma ally—is no longer the main point of contact for party issues. According to observers, the internal changes in the MKP are a result of the Zuma family’s stranglehold on the party’s leadership as well as continuous tensions about the next big elections.
Some party members are concerned that the Zuma family’s engagement would come off as favouritism and hurt the party’s chances of winning over new voters. Appointments have been criticised, but the national spokesperson of the MKP has justified them, saying they are essential for a united front in the next elections.
