“Some People Are Celebrating That Zuma Is Hospitalized, He Will Be Here In 2029” Duduzane Zuma Says

MK Party Deputy President Duduzane Zuma has addressed growing concerns about his father, former South African president Jacob Zuma, following reports of his hospitalisation, assuring supporters that the veteran politician remains politically active and intends to lead the party into the 2029 national elections.

Duduzane made the remarks while addressing questions about his father’s health and absence from a scheduled political engagement. He said Jacob Zuma had personally asked him to convey an apology to supporters who had expected to see him at the event.

According to Duduzane, his father was disappointed that he could not honour his commitment because he needed to attend medical check-ups.

“The media has been saying all sorts of things, that he’s not well, he’s hospitalised, they’re asking us all sorts of questions, what’s going on with uBaba uNxamalala,” Duduzane said.

He explained that he had seen his father the previous day and that the former president had asked him to communicate his apology to supporters.

“When I saw him yesterday he said please tell the supporters that he apologises 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 added.

The remarks come amid widespread public interest in Jacob Zuma’s health after reports emerged that he had been admitted to a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal earlier in the week.

The MK Party has maintained that its president attended a routine medical examination and was in good spirits. Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu previously said that Zuma undergoes comprehensive medical check-ups twice a year and that his campaign programme would continue.

However, media reports have presented differing accounts of the circumstances surrounding his hospital visit. While the party has described the examination as routine, a report published by The Witness on October 9 said Zuma remained at a private hospital. The precise nature of his medical condition has not been independently established.

Against this background, Duduzane sought to reassure supporters while criticising those he said were celebrating the possibility that his father might no longer be able to participate in politics.

“Now some people were celebrating, saying hey, maybe uBaba uMsholozi has a problem, we’re not going to see him again,” he said.

Duduzane rejected that interpretation and insisted that the former president would continue to play a central role in the MK Party’s political activities.

“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,” he declared.

The statement signals the party leadership’s intention to keep Jacob Zuma at the centre of its long-term political strategy. However, his proposed candidacy and the party’s stated ambition of securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority in 2029 remain political intentions rather than guaranteed outcomes.

Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, remains the leading figure in the MK Party, which emerged as a significant political force during the 2024 national and provincial elections.

The party secured approximately 14.6% of the national vote in 2024 and emerged as the largest party in KwaZulu-Natal, where it received about 45.3% of the provincial vote. Its performance significantly altered the political landscape, particularly in a province where Zuma retains considerable political influence.

The MK Party is now preparing for the November 4, 2026, local government elections, with Zuma remaining a prominent figure in its campaign activities.

His continued involvement is particularly important to a party whose public identity and electoral appeal are closely associated with his leadership. Consequently, reports about his health have attracted attention from supporters, political opponents and the broader public.

Duduzane’s comments also underscore the importance the party attaches to maintaining confidence among its supporters during a period of uncertainty surrounding its leader’s medical circumstances.

Although he expressed confidence that his father would remain politically active, no detailed medical information was provided in the remarks quoted.

For now, the MK Party continues to maintain that Zuma is in good spirits, while Duduzane has made it clear that the family expects the former president to remain involved in the country’s political future.

His declaration that Zuma will lead the party into the 2029 elections reinforces the leadership’s stated plans, although the former president’s future participation will depend on his circumstances and the applicable electoral requirements.

Source; https://x.com/newslivesa/status/2108572983061012549