Photo for illustration. Duduzane Zuma during the second day of his testimony at the commission of inquiry into state capture on 8 October 2019. Photo: Gallo Images/Sowetan/Thulani Mbele
Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma said he will be contesting the general elections next year, stating “change is necessary”.
Duduzane told SABC News reporter Simphiwe Makhanya and video journalist Thulani Ngcobo in Durban he will stand as an indepent candidate in the 2024 general elections.
He said the upcoming elections will be “pivotal”.
Big changes are expected in the elections, whether it is in the form of a coalition-based government, or the ruling party drops under the 50% mark in the electorate.
The son of former president Jacob Zuma believes he “most definitely” stands a chance, since most South Africans “have taken the backseat; people have become despondent”.
He said while most are willing to just “sit back and wait”, he doesn’t have time time for apathy: “There’s a need for change, so I definitely believe it’s ‘game on’,” he said.
“We tried to do the change route within the ANC, but it hasn’t worked. So, we will do it outside of the ANC.”
When asked if he was still a member of the ruling party, Duduzane said that would be for the party to decide. He said the ANC clothed him, fed him and schooled him.
“The ANC is not just a political party; it’s a history, it’s an institution. … But the only way to make a difference is to chart a new path.”
He said while he appreciates the guidance from his elders – and in particular, his father, who he approached for counsel – Duduzane said he doesn’t “want to be stuck in consultation”.
“When we stay in consultation mode and opinion mode, decisions are not being made.”
When asked about his former connection to the Guptas, he said he hasn’t spoken to any of the family members in three or four years.
“I’m on my journey now. I don’t know where they are, I’m not their spokesperson, I’m not my father’s spokesperson. I can only speak for myself.”
Go big or go home.
Duduzane’s candidacy for the 2024 elections will likely spark skepticism, considering his controversial history.
He was acquitted of culpable homicide charges from a 2014 car crash which caused two fatalities – an initial inquest found him not guilty.
The case was re-opened in 2018 at the behest of AfriForum, but the court heard how the death of one of the passengers was unrelated to the injuries she sustained during the accident.
Duduzane was also implicated in the state capture scandal that marred his father’s presidency.
Duduzane testified at the state capture inquiry in 2019 when he was implicated by numerous witnesses, largely due to his business relationship with the Guptas.
Then in June 2022, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo concluded that Duduzane acted as a “conduit” between the Gupta family and the government.
READ: Zondo: Duduzane Zuma acted as a conduit between Guptas and government
Duduzane took his presidential ambitions to TEDx last year, where he shared the stage with actress Amanda du-Pont and Miss South Africa 2022 finalist, Tamsyn Jack.
The TEDxSandton event was attended by 200 people, and Duduzane said it was the type of event South Africa needed:
“We need more of this, more round tables, more seminars, more events to educate our people.”
At the time, he told The Citizen his vision for South Africa is a country “built by South Africans from all walks of life – putting their racial, religious, social, economic differences aside”.
He said the only way to usher in peace, prosperity, safety and security – “not for some but for the entire population” – is to work together.
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