‘Is It Because Of My DNA?’ Thuthukile Zuma Drops Bombshell As She Resigns From ANC Leadership

Thuthukile Zuma, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from her position as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee (REC), citing frustration over what she describes as the unfair treatment she and her parents have experienced within the governing party.

Her resignation marks another development in the ongoing political tensions within the ANC, particularly in Johannesburg, where internal divisions and disagreements over leadership continue to shape the party’s regional structures.

In announcing her decision to step down, Thuthukile made it clear that her departure was not simply about her position within the regional leadership but was also connected to her concerns about how the ANC has treated members of her family.

She specifically referred to the treatment of her father, former president Jacob Zuma, and her mother, veteran ANC politician Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Thuthukile suggested that the challenges she has personally encountered within the party may be linked to her family background and the political standing of her parents.

“Given the manner in which the ANC has treated former President Jacob Zuma and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, I cannot help but question whether the treatment I now endure is, in part, a consequence of my DNA,” she said.

Her remarks appear to reflect growing frustration over what she perceives as an environment in which her family connections have influenced her political experience within the organisation.

Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 until 2018, has had a complicated relationship with the ANC leadership following his departure from office.

His political fallout with the party eventually culminated in his association with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), which he now leads. The development has created further political complications for the ANC, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and other regions where the MK Party has attracted support from former ANC members and voters.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, meanwhile, remains a prominent figure in South African politics, having served in several senior government positions and contested the ANC presidency in 2017.

Thuthukile’s decision to resign from the Johannesburg REC raises questions about the internal atmosphere within the regional structure and the extent to which political disagreements and family associations influence relationships among party members.

Her departure also comes at a sensitive time for the ANC as it continues to navigate internal political challenges, rebuild organisational support and prepare for future electoral contests.

Although she has explained the frustrations behind her decision, her resignation does not necessarily mean she has ended her membership of the ANC.

The development is likely to attract further political attention, particularly because of the prominent role her parents have played in the country’s political landscape.