MK Party Deputy President Duduzane Zuma has addressed speculation surrounding his father, former South African president Jacob Zuma, explaining that the veteran politician missed a scheduled appearance because he needed to undergo medical check-ups.
Speaking to supporters, Duduzane dismissed reports and rumours circulating about his father’s health, saying Jacob Zuma was disappointed that he could not attend the event as promised.
According to Duduzane, the former president personally asked him to convey an apology to supporters who had expected to see him.
“The media has been saying all sorts of things, that he’s not well, he’s hospitalized, they’re asking us all sorts of questions, what’s going on with uBaba uNxamalala,” Duduzane said.
He added that he had seen his father the previous day and that Jacob Zuma had expressed regret over his absence.
“When I saw him yesterday he said please tell the supporters that he apologizes for not being here today. His heart was broken because he promised to come and he couldn’t make it because he needed to go for check-ups,” he said.
Duduzane’s remarks come amid public interest in the health and activities of the former president, who remains a central figure in the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Beyond addressing concerns about his father’s absence, Duduzane also used the occasion to reaffirm the MK Party’s plans for the 2029 national elections.
He criticised those he said had celebrated Jacob Zuma’s absence and suggested that the former president would no longer be seen in public.
“Now some people were celebrating, saying hey, maybe uBaba uMsholozi has a problem, we’re not going to see him again,” Duduzane said.
He then declared that Jacob Zuma would remain politically active and serve as the party’s presidential candidate in the next national elections.
“He’s indeed with us and he’ll be here as a presidential candidate in 2029, leading the MK party to a two-thirds majority nationally,” Duduzane stated.
The declaration signals the party’s intention to keep Jacob Zuma at the centre of its political campaign as it prepares for the next electoral contest.
However, the projected two-thirds majority remains the MK Party’s stated political ambition rather than an established electoral outcome.
Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, launched the MK Party in December 2023 after his relationship with the African National Congress deteriorated.
The party made a significant electoral breakthrough in the 2024 national and provincial elections, emerging as a major political force, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
Duduzane’s comments are likely to renew discussion about Jacob Zuma’s future leadership role, his public appearances and the party’s strategy ahead of 2029.
While the explanation offered by Duduzane attributes his father’s absence to medical check-ups, no further medical details were provided in the quoted remarks.
For now, the message from the MK Party deputy president is that Jacob Zuma intends to remain involved in politics, with his sights set on another presidential campaign.